New Grant Opportunity: WestMET Community Grant
SPECIAL AREAS 2 – The Community Foundation of Southeastern Alberta proudly announces a new grant opportunity. WestMET Group Canada Ltd. established the WestMET Community Fund with an initial $42,880 donation to the Community Foundation of Southeastern Alberta (CFSEA). They have committed to provide an annual gift to CFSEA for 25 years. Each year, part of the donation will go directly toward a new community grant program, while the rest will be invested in the WestMET Community endowment fund. This new grant stream will support local initiatives and community-based organizations for the people of Special Area 2, Town of Hanna, and Village of Youngstown. To launch this inaugural grant stream, CFSEA will provide a recorded Grant Writing Workshop on their website by March 3rd.
Pictured: Kyle Hobbs, WestMET Director of Operations, Helene Nicholson, CFSEA Regional Development Coordinator, Jay Philipsen, PACE Project Manager
"WestMET is very pleased to give back to the community in and around the Hanna and Special Area 2 region. This program allows us to give back to the people, groups, and families that gave so much over the past few decades to the Sheerness Mine, producing affordable power for the province. As WestMET pivots to new opportunities, we are excited to partner with PACE on establishing this grant program and look forward to building strong relationships and supporting continued growth in the local community which have been an integral part of our journey." — Kyle Hobbs, WestMET Director of Operations
The WestMET Community Fund Grant will start accepting grant applications from charities and non-profit organizations within Special Area 2, Hanna, and Youngstown on March 3rd, 2025, through CFSEA’s online grant portal. The priority areas include Local Communities, First Nation and Metis Initiatives, Environmental, Youth and Education, and Health and Wellness. This new, annual grant stream will be facilitated by the Community Foundation of Southeastern Alberta and reviewed by an Advisory Committee including a representative from each area being supported, a CFSEA representative, and a representative from WestMET Group.
WestMET Group is leading the energy transition through the development of advanced agricultural products, environmental services, and emerging energy technologies. Their partnership with PACE Canada Developments has helped them develop a 13 MWac photovoltaic solar power electrical generation project in Hanna, Alberta, on reclaimed land at the Sheerness coal mine.
"PACE is excited to be partnering with WestMET to bring sustainable and innovative renewable energy projects to Alberta. Our projects benefit the economy, the environment, and the community in addition to offering benefits across the food-energy-water nexus." — Claude Mindorff, Director of Development, Pathfinder Clean Energy (PACE)