Coal town hopes Alberta government grants will help it bounce back

Ever since the provincial government announced it was speeding up the closure of Hanna's coal-fired plant, the southern Alberta town has been trying to come up with ideas on how to buoy its economy.

Now the government is handing over a$450,000grant to see whether any local ideas would work.

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Mayor Chris Warwick said the moneyshould help put residents' minds at ease.

"People are really uncertain as to what's going to happen in the future and a good news story like this certainly goes a long ways in easing that a little," he said.

The local coal mine employs 60 to 80 people, and the nearby coal-fired power station employs another 110 in the town of approximately 2,300people.

'Open for business'

The grantmoney will fund the work of 10 different teams of residents, business leaders and experts in economic diversification.

Hanna, Alta., gets funding to diversify

7 years ago

Duration 0:40

Ever since the provincial government announced it was speeding up the closure of Hanna's coal-fired plant, the southern Alberta town has been trying to come up with ideas on how to buoy its economy. Now the government is handing over a $450,000 grant to see whether any local ideas would work.

Trisha Sewell, Hanna's economic development officer, said it's been tough attracting new investors because they think the town is dying.

"Really, to this point, a lot of negative press has been surrounding our community, so now we're really trying to say we're open for business,"she said.

The town said it will be holding public consultations to form the new teams.

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