Cold Lake cashes in on grants

The City of Cold Lake has received two grants they applied for in the fall.

The Community and Regional Economic Support (CARES) and Aging Well in Community Grant programs came back accepted to city council during last Tuesday’s council meeting.

The total funding support combined is over $130,000.

Cold Lake is pursuing a $100,000 aerospace and defence project with the funding they’re receiving through the CARES grant. It allows for a 50-50 cost share between the city and the province.

The agreement begins the process of advancing the city’s strategic priorities in this area, which springs off of the Northeast Alberta Information HUB’s report entitled Aerospace Technology, Defense and Unmanned Systems: Status and Future Opportunities.

The Aging Well in Community Grant will mean a maximum of $82,218 will be going to the city.

The grant funding is aimed at supporting an Age-Friendly Cold Lake project to establish a strategic age-friendly plan to assist in future planning for seniors of all ages and need stages including a view of positive, healthy aging.

The grant outcome will mean support funding for staffing resources for two years. This is expressed as $17,471 allocated to City administration and $48,747 allocated for outsourced contracts.

It will also entail more assessment of needs and wants, engaging community leaders in discussion, and making a plan so Cold Lake can become a more age-friendly place.