Community Futures Alberta and the Alberta government have collaborated to offer a new program to support various business expenses for small and medium-sized businesses owned by women entrepreneurs.
The Alberta government announced a total of $3 million in grant funding to Community Futures Network of Alberta to administer the Alberta Women’s Economic Recovery - Capital Growth Initiative (CGI) program in May 2022; this funding will help support women entrepreneurs access low-interest loans with flexible repayment options for various business expenses such as operating capital, equipment and inventory, and professional fees.
“While this particular program is designed for women, Community Futures Big Country (Drumheller) continues to work with local entrepreneurs who have not been able to access conventional bank financing for their business,” says Community Futures Big Country executive director Alison Roppel.
She shares, during the first funding round, five local women entrepreneurs were advanced a total of $100,000 through the CGI program. Funding received through the CGI program will help these businesses with start-up and expansion costs, and to increase their digital footprint.
“Community Futures Big Country is excited about the opportunity to support five more local businesses to support them as they move forward,” Ms. Roppel tells the Mail.

Drumheller born Talyn Boyko, son of Kelly and Sharla, has signed an entry-level deal with the New York Rangers.
The 19-year-old was playing for the Tri-City Americans of the WHL when he was picked in the NHL draft by the Rangers, coming in at 112th overall in July 2021. He was the eighth goalie selected at the draft.
He has since moved on and played the bulk of last season in Kelowna for the Rockets. He attended the Rangers’ Camp, went to the Rangers’ affiliate Heartford Wolfpack training camp and is now with Jacksonville Icemen.
“It is a step in the right direction and kind of solidifies me with the organization,” Boyko tells the Mail from Jacksonville.
“I’ll be playing in the system for hopefully their next couple years, and my goal is obviously to play with the Rangers. It's an awesome start and I am really honoured, especially to be a part of an organization like the Rangers, an original six team.”
Boyko has been working hard for this opportunity and brings the skills and attributes teams are looking for in the net.
“When you combine my size with my athleticism, that is part of what they see in me, and obviously, I am a really hard worker,” he said.

“I am so lucky to be where I am and have so many people to thank for helping me get here and wouldn’t be here without them,” Boyko said, noting he is grateful for his support from his agent Rich Winter, who is also from Drumheller.
“He’s been a huge part of this whole process and I am super grateful for his hard work,” said Boyko.
Not long after he began playing hockey in the Drumheller Raptor system, he identified his love for playing in the net.
“When I started playing hockey in Drumheller, you know everyone starts as a player…and then all the kids take turns with the goalie stick. I always wanted to be the kid standing in the net with the stick and that led to my first set of gear,” he said. “Right from there, I fell in love with the position. As I have gotten older, I learned how much control you have over the game and how you can have such a big role in winning the game, and part of that control is just why I love it so much.”
Right now he is focusing on his career, with an eye on getting his shot.
“I want to do everything I can do to get better and solidify myself as a professional hockey player. When the time is ready I hope to get an opportunity and make the most of the opportunity once you get one,” he said.