2013 Programs and Services for Growth

Development Officers with Alberta Agriculture and Rural Development serve as the first point of contact for Alberta's growing and established agri-processing companies. In addition to having a thorough understanding of the agri-processing industry, they have created this resource to assist agri-processing companies in finding funding programs, servcies and supports. They are 'your connection to resources for business growth.'

The following information will help you:
- discover what's available to help grow your agri-processing business,
- find the programs and services that suit your needs,
- apply to financial cost-sharing opportunities for new initiatives,
- access resources that improve your business.
Document available in pdf format (486KB - print on Legal Landscape)

Automation, Technology & Lean Manufacturing

Agriculture Innovation Program
Type of Program: Grant/Interest-Free Loan
Administered by: Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada
Description of Program:
The program is designed to support research, development, commercialization and adoption of new products, technologies, processes and services. The program has two streams. Stream 1 -Knowledge Creation and Transfer -is focused on research and development and applied projects where the commercialization is 3-7 years away. Grant funding of up to 75% for not-for-profit groups and 50% for profit companies. Stream 2 - Enabling Commercialization - includes capital equipment but should be new not just to the company but to the sector or region. An interest free loan of up to 50%.
Maximum Funding: Stream 1: $4,000,000. Stream 2: $10,000,000
Program End Date: March 31, 2018

Agri-Processing Initiative
Type of Program:Grant/ Interest-Free Loan
Administered by: Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada
Description of Program:
The program is designed to enhance the competitiveness of the agri-processing sector in Canada. Eligible projects include new (novel to facility) machinery and equipment that enables the adoption of new manufacturing technologies and processes and consultation, design and advice on new technologies, processes and products which are new to the facility. The contributions are non-interest bearing and unsecured. Companies could receive a repayable contribution of 50% of eligible project costs.
Maximum Funding: $2,000,000
Program End Date: March 31, 2014

Alberta Technology Innovation Program
Type of Program: Grant
Administered by: Food Beverage Canada
Description of Program:
The program provides financial support for companies to attend approved National and International technology-related trade shows, conferences, seminars and other industry events to foster support for both company and industry innovation and growth. Approved participants are eligible to receive 50% cost-sharing on economy airfare, event and seminar registration fees and a per diem for out-of-pocket expenses.
Program End Date: October 31, 2013

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Digital Technology Adoption Pilot Program
Type of Program: Resource/Grant
Administered by: National Research Council
Description of Program:
This program is designed to speed up the rate at which small- and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) adopt digital technology and build digital skills. Through Industrial Technology Advisors, qualified companies receive advice, and may receive funding, to adopt digital technologies into their operational processes to improve productivity. As a result, participating SMEs will be in a better position to innovate, cut costs, create jobs, improve efficiency of their supply chain and boost their overall productivity.
Program End Date: March 31, 2014

Growing Forward Agri-Processing Automation & Efficiency Program
Type of Program: Grant
Administered by: Alberta Agriculture and Rural Development (Crop) & Alberta Livestock and Meat Agency (Livestock)
Description of Program:
The program is designed to stimulate new investment and capital expansion in the agri-food industry in Alberta. The program contributes to improvements to the productivity of processors through cost reductions and/or increases in operational efficiencies. A maximum of 20% of eligible costs will be payable for capital projects. Non-capital projects, which include third-party costs, consulting and engineering fees, training and eligible travel costs will have a maximum of 50% payable.
Maximum Funding: $2,000,000
Program End Date: February 1, 2018

Productivity Improvement Services
Type of Program: Resource
Administered by: Alberta Agriculture and Rural Development & Productivity Alberta
Description of Program:
These services can help your company increase productivity and competitiveness through on-site operation assessments, online tools and resources, learning events, practical recommendations and guidance regarding resources for implementation.

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Food Safety

Alberta HACCP Advantage (AHA!)
Type of Program: Resource/Certification
Administered by: Alberta Agriculture and Rural Development
Description of Program:
AHA! is a voluntary program to assist food processors in developing and implementing a food safety system (i.e., GMP or HACCP system). The AHA! Standard provides the requirements for implementing an effective food safety system. The program can also provide formal third party certification and government recognition for facilities that implement the AHA! program.

Food Safety Gap Assessments
Type of Program: Resource
Administered by: Alberta Agriculture and Rural Development & Alberta Food Processors Association
Description of Program:
Gap assessments are available to assist processors in preparing for customer or regulatory audits. This program is also valuable for processors that want to implement a Food Safety program but either aren't sure where to start or want to know where their shortfalls may be prior to proceeding.

Food Safety Resources
Type of Program: Resource
Administered by: Alberta Agriculture and Rural Development
Description of Program:
ARD has many excellent resources to assist food processors in developing, improving and implementing a food safety system (i.e., GMP or HACCP system) to meet the requirements of current customers and help gain new customers. These resources include coaching and guidance from experienced Food Safety Specialists, a food safety “how to” manual, personnel training materials, food safety DVDs, template record keeping forms, and more! Most resources are on-line and ready for your use, but don't forget to call us for assistance!

Growing Forward Food Safety Systems - Processors
Type of Program: Grant
Administered by: Alberta Agriculture and Rural Development
Description of Program:
This program helps food processors to invest in new or improved food safety systems and production practices, enhancing the industry’s competitiveness and food safety performance. Non capital items - assistance for federally or provincially licensed food processing companies, including companion animal food processing companies, will be on a 50:50 cost shared basis. Capital items - assistance will be on a 20:80 cost shared basis (government/applicant) to a maximum of $15,000 for capital items that can assist with controlling food hazards.
Maximum Funding: $25,000
Program End Date: March 31, 2018

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Online Food Safety Training & Prerequisite Program Management
Type of Program: Resource
Administered by: Alberta Food Processors Association
Description of Program:
This program will enable Alberta food processors to train employees within the facility on seven food safety modules, administer quizzes and present certificates upon completion of the training. It will also give HACCP Coordinators the tools to manage employee training and prerequisite programs to ensure they are current and ready for audits. Technical support is also available to assist processors in entering employee names into the database, downloading SOPs and training to use the system.

Onsite Training
Type of Program: Resource
Administered by: Alberta Food Processors Association
Description of Program:
This program is available to Alberta food processors that want to train a group of employees on HACCP or other food safety topics but do not want to go offsite to a publicly offered course. This minimizes the potential expense and time away from production. It also gives a team approach to training, which many companies prefer.

Investment

Agri-Business & Agri-Food Financing
Type of Program: Financing/Loan
Administered by: Farm Credit Canada
Description of Program:
FCC provides financing to processors, wholesalers, input providers, equipment manufacturers and dealers. They offer term and cash flow financing and venture capital.

Canada Small Business Financing Program
Type of Program: Loan
Administered by: Industry Canada
Description of Program:
Under the program, the Government of Canada makes it easier for small businesses to get loans from financial institutions by sharing the risk of lenders. Companies must be small businesses operating for profit in Canada, with a gross annual revenue of less than $5 million.
Maximum Funding: $500,000

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Canada Youth Business Foundation Program
Type of Program: Loan
Administered by: Canada Youth Business Foundation
Description of Program:
This program provides start-up financing of up to $15,000, with flexible three to five year repayment schedules with no principal payments in the first year. Furthermore, the Business Development Bank of Canada teamed up with the Canadian Youth Business Foundation (CYBF) to provide entrepreneurs with up to an additional $15,000 to get their businesses off the ground. Expansion financing of up to $10,000 is also offered for existing CYBF entrepreneurs.
Maximum Funding: $15,000

Pre-Commercial Investment Program
Type of Program: Loan
Administered by: AVAC Ltd.
Description of Program:
Investment funds are targeted at pre-commercial and start-up opportunities. AVAC will help entrepreneurs and new venture developers pursue their ideas by sharing some of the early stage risk (less than 50%). Investment return is based on a royalty approach, calculated as a percentage of gross revenue of the client business, or of a specific new product or service.

Value Added & Agri-Business Program
Type of Program: Financing/Loan
Administered by: Agriculture Financial Services Corporation
Description of Program:
The program is designed to provide enterprises with suitable financing to start, develop and grow their businesses. The loan can be used to start, expand, purchase or upgrade facilities, equipment, or other capital assets needed for your business. VAAP also covers working capital expenditures, including training costs, that support new or expanded operations or products for value added or agri-business enterprises and change of ownership.
Maximum Funding: $5,000,000

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Nutrition/Labelling

Food Labelling Health Benefits
Type of Program: Resource
Administered by: Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada
Description of Program:
Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada (AAFC) recognizes the important role that the food regulatory environment plays in protecting public safety, promoting health and supporting industry competitiveness. The Food Regulatory Issues Division provides the sector with information and advice on food policy and regulatory issues, particularly with regards to innovative foods with health benefits.

Food Labelling Information Service
Type of Program: Resource
Administered by: Canadian Food Inspection Agency
Description of Program:
The CFIA Food labelling Information Service consolidates and coordinates voluntary federal food label reviews. This service is particularly directed to facilitating market entry for new businesses. Food processors can receive general labelling advice, including nutritional labelling, and have draft labels reviewed by contacting the Food Safety and Fair labelling offices in Edmonton and Calgary.

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Occupational Health & Safety (OH&S)

Certificate of Recognition Program
Type of Program: Resource
Administered by: Alberta Food Processors Association
Description of Program:
This program is essential to WCB's PIR and a key component of Alberta Human Services Partnerships program. A Certificate of Recognition (COR) is issued to employers who have successfully implemented a workplace health and safety management system that meets partnerships standards. Benefits of obtaining a COR include: minimized accident costs, improved worker productivity, safer workplace and a possible rebate of a minimum of 10% to a maximum of 20% of WCB premiums.

Small Employer Certificate of Recognition
Type of Program: Resource
Administered by: Alberta Food Processors Association
Description of Program:
The Small Employer Certificate of Recognition (SECOR) program provides an option for employers with a small number of workers to develop a safety management system and achieve a Certificate of Recognition. The program is designed to meet the application and training needs of employers with 10 or fewer employees. A SECOR is issued to an employer whose health and safety program meets the partnerships standards. Small employers with a SECOR are eligible to receive a 10% to 20% rebate on their WCB premiums.

Workplace Health & Safety Program
Type of Program: Resource
Administered by: Alberta Food Processors Association
Description of Program:
The Alberta Food Processors Association is committed to improving health and safety for the industry and offers extensive educational courses. The following courses are instructed by qualified industry experts: Health & Safety Program Building, Internal Auditor Training, Hazard Assessment, WHMIS Train the Trainer, Incident & Accident Investigation and Roles & Responsibility for Managers and Supervisors.

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Research & Development/Marketing

Agrivalue Processing Business Incubator
Type of Program: Resource
Administered by: Alberta Agriculture and Rural Development
Description of Program:
A multi-tenant, CFIA registered facility with eight private, fully serviced processing suites dedicated to assisting food processors in the scale-up and commercialization of food products and technologies leading to successful establishment of their own enterprises.

Alberta Scientific Research and Experimental Development Tax Credit
Type of Program: Tax Credit
Administered by: Government of Alberta
Description of Program:
The provincial tax credit program benefits businesses of all sizes and in all sectors that conduct research and development that will lead to new, improved or technologically advanced products or processes. The credit is for all expenditures incurred after December 31, 2008 that are also eligible for the federal Scientific Research and Experimental Development Credit (SR&ED). The Alberta SR&ED tax credit is over and above the federal SR&ED credit, helping the research and development investments made by Alberta companies go farther.

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The Canada Brand in the Canadian Market
Type of Program: Resource
Administered by: Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada
Description of Program:
To help increase the competitiveness of Canadian food producers and processors here at home, Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada has developed a new domestic branding initiative. The initiative will help you promote the advantages of your food products to Canadian consumers, capitalizing on research showing that they prefer to buy domestic foods over imports.

Developing New Alberta Crop-Based Products
Type of Program: Grant
Administered by: Alberta Crop Industry Development Fund (ACIDF)
Description of Program:
This program is targeted to work with Alberta’s agricultural crop-based manufacturers and growers to grow their own businesses. The program increases manufacturing using Alberta grown crops, through development of new commercial ingredients and products. Enriching supply chain business relationships is highly desirable. Ultimately the success of this program will be a significant increase in demand and use of Alberta grown crops in Alberta based manufacturing. ACIDF will provide up to 25% of eligible project cash costs up to a maximum of $100,000 per project.
Program End Date: December 31, 2014

Food Processing Development Centre
Type of Program: Resource
Administered by: Alberta Agriculture and Rural Development
Description of Program:
The Food Processing Development Centre is a modern, fully equipped pilot plant and product development laboratory facility. It is staffed with experienced food scientists, engineers and technologists. Centre services are designed to strengthen and expand the capability of Alberta's food processors to meet the challenges of the marketplace through application of new technology and the development of new or improved products and processes.

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Growing Forward Agri-Processing Product and Market Development Program
Type of Program: Grant
Administered by: Alberta Agriculture and Rural Development (Crop) & Alberta Livestock and Meat Agency (Livestock)
Description of Program:
This program targets agri-food and agri-based processing companies and producers with innovative, market driven opportunities to commercialize a product, create healthy or healthier products or expand their business. Projects under this program include: product development, market research and development, labelling and packaging development, and expanding an agri-business. Eligible expenses will be funded at 50% to a maximum of $500,000.
Maximum Funding: $500,000
Program End Date: February 1, 2018

Growing Forward Business Opportunity Program
Type of Program: Grant
Administered by: Alberta Agriculture and Rural Development
Description of Program:
The purpose of this program is to help Alberta’s new or established producers, agri-processing companies and producer groups enhance their competitiveness and growth prospects by connecting them with expert business advice. Established processors will be reimbursed for 50% and new entrants will be reimbursed for 75% to a maximum of $30,000 for the life of the program. Eligible costs include feasibility studies for new opportunities, business plans (expansion and restructuring), market research, value chain development, pricing models, marketing plans, business management mentoring or coaching.
Maximum Funding: $30,000
Program End Date: February 1, 2018

Industrial Research Assistance Program
Type of Program: Resource/Grant
Administered by: National Research Council
Description of Program:
This program supports small and medium-sized enterprises in Canada to build their technology and innovation capabilities. Industrial Technology Advisors work with small and medium-sized enterprises on-site to assess needs and design solutions which can be tailored to each business. NRC-IRAP offers direct technical assistance, access to the latest technological advances, expertise, facilities and resources. NRC-IRAP may also provide cost-shared financing of innovative technical projects to qualified firms.

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Matching Investment Fund
Type of Program: Grant
Administered by: Canadian Dairy Commission
Description of Program:
The $6 million fund is designed to encourage growth and innovation in the manufacturing and use of Canadian dairy products and ingredients. Projects can receive up to $150,000. Funding must be matched in cash or in-kind by the business.
Maximum Funding: $150,000
Program End Date: July 31, 2014

Product Demonstration Fund
Type of Program: Grant
Administered by: Alberta Innovates
Description of Program:
The Product Demonstration Fund (PDF) will assist Alberta businesses across the province at a challenging time in the commercialization phase of their development. PDF funding, typically ranging from $100,000 to $300,000, will help businesses demonstrate their new products or services in a real-life, end-user environment.
Maximum Funding: $300,000

Scientific Research & Experimental Development Program
Type of Program: Tax Credit
Administered by: Canada Revenue Agency
Description of Program:
This program is a federal tax incentive program to encourage Canadian businesses of all sizes and in all sectors to conduct research and development (R&D) in Canada that will lead to new, improved or technologically-advanced products or processes. Companies can apply for SR&ED investment tax credits for expenditures such as wages, materials, machinery, equipment, some overhead and SR&ED contracts.
Maximum Funding: Tax credit of up to 35%

Sustainability

ecoEnergy for Industry Assessment Incentive Program
Type of Program: Grant
Administered by: Natural Resources Canada
Description of Program:
Financial incentives for two types of assessments through the ecoENERGY for Industry program. The incentives help industrial companies perform assessments of their operations to optimize their processes, reduce operating costs, and use energy more efficiently. Funding is available for up to 50% of the study cost of a Process Integration study or a Computational Fluid Dynamic study.
Maximum Funding: $25,000

Office of Energy Efficiency
Type of Program: Resource
Administered by: Natural Resources Canada
Description of Program:
The Office of Energy Efficiency (OEE) is Canada's centre of excellence for energy, efficiency and alternative fuels information. The OEE is mandated to strengthen and expand Canada's commitment to energy efficiency in order to help address the Government of Canada's policy objectives. The OEE offers a variety of resources, including workshops for professionals, statistics and analysis, awards and hundreds of free publications.

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Workforce Development

Agricultural Processing Industry Summer Employment Program
Type of Program: Grant
Administered by: Alberta Agriculture and Rural Development
Description of Program:
This program provides opportunities for career-related experience and skill training for students employed in Alberta's processing industry. Students must be enrolled full-time in a degree, diploma or certificate program and must be returning to school full-time in the fall or winter. Students enrolled in graduate studies are also eligible under the program. Processors who hire a student for the summer will be reimbursed for one-third of the employee's salary up to $500 per month.
Maximum Funding: $2,000

Alberta Immigrant Nominee Program
Type of Program: Resource
Administered by: Citizenship and Immigration Canada and Alberta Enterprise and Advanced Education
Description of Program:
The Alberta Immigrant Nominee Program is a federal – provincial agreement designed to assist employers to facilitate the immigration process so employers can retain the qualified temporary foreign workers they have working in Alberta.

Alberta Innovates Commercialization Associates
Type of Program: Grant
Administered by: Alberta Innovates Technology Futures
Description of Program:
The Alberta Innovates Commercialization Associates program was developed to increase business management and marketing expertise in Alberta-based start-up and Small/Medium Enterprise (SME) companies by enabling these companies to recruit skilled business professionals. The program consists of an annual stipend of $70,000 (a minimum): with contributions of $55,000 from Tech Futures and $15,000 (minimum) from the company, for up to two years; and an annual commercialization allowance of $7,000 from Tech Futures to cover qualified costs for travel and marketing intelligence.
Maximum Funding: $62,000

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Apprenticeship Job Creation Tax Credit
Type of Program: Tax Credit
Administered by: Canada Revenue Agency
Description of Program:
The federal incentive program is designed to help employers offset the cost of hiring and training employees who have entered into an apprenticeship contract. Employers can take advantage of a non-refundable tax credit equal to 10% of the eligible salaries and wages paid to apprentices in their first two years. Any unused credit may be carried back 3 years and carried forward 20 years.
Maximum Funding: $2,000

Career Bridge Program
Type of Program: Grant
Administered by: Career Edge
Description of Program:
This program is for employers seeking qualified workers and for recent immigrants seeking professional level positions in their fields of expertise. Career Bridge offers paid internships of 4, 6, 9 or 12 months for recent immigrants. It can help employers fill a wide range of professional and managerial positions while minimizing the recruiting costs and risks.

Great People = Growing Profits Toolkit
Type of Program: Resource
Administered by: Alberta Agriculture and Rural Development
Description of Program:
This online toolkit for employers features practical tools to help immediately address labour shortage issues. The toolkit offers recruitment and retention strategies with tools and templates that can be used independently or incorporated into your current business processes.   Access the toolkit online or contact your Development Officer for a free copy of the toolkit on CD.

Growing Forward Business Management Skills Grant
Type of Program: Grant
Administered by: Alberta Agriculture and Rural Development
Description of Program:
This program is designed to enable business training that increases management capacity leading to better decisions and industry growth. The program supports training activities that strengthen the management capacity and business management skills of the management teams of agri-businesses. The program is available to individuals as wells as groups of Board members of industry organizations and processing companies. Assistance will be provided to successful applicants on a 75/25, government to applicant, cost shared basis. Maximum funding for the life of the program is $10,000 for individual applicants and $40,000 for leadership program developers.
Maximum Funding: $10,000 or $40,000
Program End Date: February 1, 2018

Market Development Initiative
Type of Program: Resource
Administered by: Alberta Agriculture and Rural Development
Description of Program:
The Market Development Team brings experience in retail, food service, alternative markets such as c-stores and into the world of packaging and understanding consumer insights. This also includes innovation, broker relations, go to market plans and merchandising of products. The team works with agri-food processors as they move through the stages of Start-up, Selling, Established and Capacity Growth. Contact your Industry Development Officer and ask for the Market Development Team.

Sectoral Career Focus Program
Type of Program: Grant
Administered by: Food Processing HR Council
Description of Program:
This program offers food processing employers an opportunity to receive a wage subsidy to hire skilled youth, to access some of the skills that can further strengthen the sector: business, marketing, design, processing, engineering or other technical abilities. Eligible participants must be post-secondary graduates in food processing or other related disciplines. The program will reimburse 50% of the eligible wages and related expenses to hire a post-secondary student for a placement between 4 and 12 months.

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Training & Development Resources
Type of Program: Resource
Administered by: Food Processing HR Council
Description of Program:
Up-to-date training materials, human resources kits, multimedia products, guides, and reports to upgrade your employees’ skills and abilities.

Workforce Development Program
Type of Program: Grant
Administered by: Alberta Agriculture and Rural Development
Description of Program:
This program provides assistance to address specific workforce issues in agricultural production and agri-processing sectors. Financial assistance is provided to assist Alberta agri-business managers to recruit workers outside of Alberta, reduce worker turnover through the development of retention strategies and assess and adopt technologies and processes which will increase worker productivity. 50% of eligible expenses incurred by a successful applicant in completing the approved project per applicant in a fiscal year (April to March).
Maximum Funding: $25,000 per client
Program End Date: Renewed Annually

Youth Employment Program
Type of Program: Grant
Administered by: National Research Council-Industrial Research and Assistance Program
Description of Program:
The program provides financial assistance to innovative small and medium-sized enterprises in Canada to hire post-secondary science, engineering, technology, business and liberal arts graduates. Internships must be at least 6 and no longer than 12 months and are available anywhere in Canada. Support will help to cover a part of the intern's salary but does not include fringe benefits and overhead costs.
Maximum Funding: $30,000

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