Startup Lloydminster has officially transitioned to become a program delivered through Community Futures (CF).
The item was first presented to Lloydminster council at the Feb. 9 Governance and Priorities committee before being brought to the Feb. 23 regular council meeting for decision.
Read more: Startup Lloyd funding falters, city looks to keep it going
A shift in Startup’s revenue led to the need for alternative delivery.
“To ensure long‑ term financial sustainability and maintain service levels to the community, an alternative delivery model has been proposed,” said Katlin Ducherer, City of Lloydminster economic development officer, noting the transition will allow them to finish the 2026 year.
The proposed funding amount is $97,500 and was included in the approved 2026 economic development operating budget.
Funding going beyond 2026 will have to return to council for further discussion.
Lloydminster Mayor Gerald Aalbers asked Ducherer if they’d seen anything similar to the proposed changes in other municipalities.
“Depending on the community, there’s models where this function exists under an existing Community Future with funding either from the municipality or other streams,” she explained.
As part of the change to Startup Lloydminster, the organization’s board made the decision to dissolve.
Coun. Michele Charles Gustafson, who previously sat on the Startup board, says there’s still an opportunity to be a part of the CF board
“Corinne (McGirr), general manager of Community Futures, let us know there are spaces on the Community Futures’ board that are called members at large and that there would be the opportunity for interested parties from Startup to put their name forward for those open spaces,” she said.
Coun Jim Taylor, who also sits on the Community Futures’ board, welcomed anyone from the Startup board to join.
“I would encourage if Coun. Charles Gustafson wants to be a member at large or other people that are currently on the board, it would be nice to have that local representation from Startup,” he said.
Council voted to redirect payment from Startup Lloydminster to Community Futures. They also voted to adjust the 2026 payment from $115K to $97.5K.
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