For the first time in a while, St. Paul didn’t get the funding.

Council learned the Town’s application for a commercial and industrial gap analysis — submitted through STEP — was not approved under the Alberta Community Partnership (ACP) program.

And it doesn’t sound like they’re alone.

“It seems to be quite a common theme actually this year where the province… nobody’s successful.”

The funding would have supported a deeper look at local economic opportunities, but council says this could signal a shift in how the province is handing out money.

“We’ve been actually quite used to receiving these funds… but now there’s obviously been a shift.”

There’s also a sense that the province may be moving away from studies altogether.

“They’re probably looking to do award projects to action items on studies that have already been done.”

For now, the Town will need to regroup and look at next steps without that funding.

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St. Paul shut out of provincial funding for economic study

Published On: March 25, 2026By

For the first time in a while, St. Paul didn’t get the funding.

Council learned the Town’s application for a commercial and industrial gap analysis — submitted through STEP — was not approved under the Alberta Community Partnership (ACP) program.

And it doesn’t sound like they’re alone.

“It seems to be quite a common theme actually this year where the province… nobody’s successful.”

The funding would have supported a deeper look at local economic opportunities, but council says this could signal a shift in how the province is handing out money.

“We’ve been actually quite used to receiving these funds… but now there’s obviously been a shift.”

There’s also a sense that the province may be moving away from studies altogether.

“They’re probably looking to do award projects to action items on studies that have already been done.”

For now, the Town will need to regroup and look at next steps without that funding.

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