August e-Publication

COVID-19 Stimulus & Grant Updates

SME Relaunch Grant

The Small and Medium Enterprise Relaunch Grant offers financial assistance to Alberta businesses, cooperatives, and non-profit organizations that were ordered to close or curtail operations, and that experienced a revenue reduction of at least 50%, as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Eligible organizations can apply for 15% of their pre-COVID-19 revenue, up to a maximum of $5,000 in funding.

Businesses, cooperatives and non-profits can use these funds as they see fit to help offset a portion of their relaunch costs, such as implementing measures to minimize the risk of virus transmission, which could include:

physical barriers
purchasing personal protective equipment and disinfecting supplies
paying rent and employee wages
replacing inventory and more

To find more information: https://www.alberta.ca/sme-relaunch-grant.aspx

CERB Extension - October 3

CERB extended from 24 weeks to 28 weeks for workers who:

stopped working due to COVID-19 or
are eligible for Employment Insurance regular or sickness benefits or
have exhausted their Employment Insurance regular benefits or Employment Insurance fishing benefits between December 29, 2019 and October 3, 2020.

To find more information: https://www.canada.ca/en/services/benefits/ei/cerb-application.html

CEWS Phase 5 - November 21

To ensure that Canadian workers and businesses are in a better position as our economy safely re-opens, the Federal Government has recently implemented changes to the CEWS that broaden the reach of the program and provide more targeted support.

On August 17, the Minister of National Revenue, the Honourable Diane Lebouthillier, announced that the Canada Revenue Agency has opened applications for Period 5 – the first period of the enhanced CEWS program. Program changes for Periods 5-9 include:

The extension of the CEWS, including redesigned program details, until November 21, 2020.
Increased eligibility, meaning that all eligible employers who've experienced a revenue drop can now qualify for a base subsidy. The subsidy amount is based on the revenue drop.
Employers who are especially hard-hit can qualify for a top-up of up to 25%.
Provide certainty for employers that have already made business decisions for July and August, by ensuring they will not receive a subsidy rate lower than they would have under the previous rules.

To find more information: https://www.canada.ca/en/revenue-agency/news/2020/08/canada-revenue-agency-opens-applications-for-enhanced-canada-emergency-wage-subsidy.html

CERCA Extension - August 31

If you have previously been approved, you automatically qualify for the extensions and no additional documents are required. Not all tenants in the original application need to be included in the request for the July and/or August extension.

If you haven’t yet applied for CECRA for small businesses, you must apply for July and August as part of your entire application.

To find more information: https://www.cmhc-schl.gc.ca/en/finance-and-investing/covid19-cecra-small-business

Business Link Resilient Recovery Program

The Resilient Recovery Program will help Alberta entrepreneurs get their businesses back on their feet, and help position them to mitigate the effects of any future business interruptions. Business owners will receive 4 hours of one-on-one coaching from experts in disaster recovery and will develop tools and strategies that they can apply to their operations immediately and to any emergencies that arise in the future.

Space is limited. If you have a business that has struggled through COVID-19 and you are open to new solutions, apply today!

This program is for existing businesses that have been affected by the COVID-19 pandemic in Alberta.

Eligibility criteria:

You are an Alberta-based business
You have a registered sole proprietorship, partnership, or a corporate business that was established before September 2019
You are an open-minded entrepreneur actively seeking improvements to your operations and planning
Willingness to commit 4 hours over a 4-week period, plus additional time to work on assigned tasks

To find more information: https://businesslink.ca/running-a-business/resilient-recovery-program/

Tourism Cooperative Investment Program

Travel Alberta acknowledges the extraordinary circumstances and challenges that tourism businesses are dealing with in our province. The Cooperative Investment Program is to assist tourism operators and regions across Alberta to RESTART consumer marketing activities and aid in the development of traveller products, experiences, and packaging in a COVID-19 travel environment.

The second intake of applications for the Cooperative Investment Program will be open from September 1-30, 2020.

Learn More

Award nominations are now open!

The Greater Parkland Regional Chamber Business Awards of Distinction are held annually in celebration of the best of the businesses in the Greater Parkland Region of Spruce Grove, Stony Plain, Parkland County and Wabamun.

Award Categories:

Business of the Year (1-35 Employees) sponsored by Main Street Law LLP
Business of the Year (36+ Employees) sponsored by Zender Ford Sales Ltd.
Cultural Diversity Award of Distinction - 'Building Inclusive Communities' sponsored by TransAlta
New Business of the Year Award of Distinction sponsored by Decker Properties Group Inc. and Decker Properties Management Ltd.
Marketing Award of Distinction sponsored by Panda Rose Consulting Studios Inc.
Young Entrepreneur Award of Distinction sponsored by EQUS REA Ltd.
Outstanding Customer Service Award of Distinction sponsored by North Central Co-op

The awards will be held on Friday, October 23. Details will be released for this event soon.

Nominate a business or individual on our website, or click the button below. https://business.gprchamber.ca/form/view/20562

Nominate Today!

WE'RE HIRING!!

Are you interested in working in a team-oriented and dynamic membership services and sales role? Do you thrive in a fast-paced environment and want to make an impact on the regional business environment? Then look no further!

See the full job description here.

Econo Lube turns 30!

August marked 30 years in business for EconoLube and we stopped by to help them celebrate along with some Spruce Grove Councillors!

To have a business such as EconoLube be an anchor in the community is so important for the vitality of the whole region. Paul Sr. started this business 30 years ago at the St. Matthews Ave location and when Paul Jr. took over the family business EconoLube opened their second location near Rona. The Harpe family and the EconoLube legacy is one of community support, dignity, and selflessness.

Cheers to another 30 years, EconoLube!

Cheers 'fore' the First Annual Golf Tournament

$3,000 WAS RAISED!

The recipient charity for 2020 was the Parkland Head Injury Association. Nearly $3,000 was raised for the charity. The Parkland Head Injury Association was formed in 1996 by a group of families who had experienced difficulties finding resources and services for their family members in the community.

THANK YOU SPONSORS!

The day was full of laughter, fun, and quality networking. We are excited to see you all for 2021. You can confirm your sponsorship now and receive recognition as a sponsor for the whole year in advance!

Become a Sponsor for 2021!

Chair's Blog

Despite COVID-19, we have had a very successful summer season thus far. Our Visitor Information Centres based in Spruce Grove and Stony Plain, collectively engaged with 845 visitors looking for guidance, recommendations and suggestions for things to do in the region.