SMALL BUSINESS WEEK

Small Business Week is October 19 - 25, and we want to take this time to thank the incredible businesses in Wainwright. Your dedication, innovation, and community spirit not only drive our local economy but also make Wainwright a better place to live, work, and visit. We appreciate all that you do!

CHAMBER GALA

TOURISM INVESTMENT PROGRAM FUNDING

Travel Alberta tourism investment program is accepting applications for three funding streams until October 20, 2025, at 4:00 p.m. This investment program is aimed at supporting the growth of Alberta’s tourism industry, foster new product development and grow Alberta’s visitor economy. Be sure to get your applications in early.

APPLICATIONS OPEN: WAINWRIGHT RN PROGRAM

The University of Calgary, in collaboration with Alberta Health Services, is offering the Rural Community Route – Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BScN) program in Wainwright, with the next intake scheduled for September 2026.

Important: There will be no intake at the Wainwright site in 2027, so interested students are strongly encouraged to apply for the 2026 intake.

Applications are OPEN. The deadline to apply March 1, 2026.

Program Highlights:

• 3.25–3.5 year degree program

• September admission only

• Labs held in person at Wainwright Health Centre

• Clinical placements within the Wainwright area

• Applicants must reside within 130 km of Wainwright and be Alberta residents (excluding major urban centres)

For full program details and to apply, please visit: https://nursing.ucalgary.ca/undergraduate/rural

For questions about admission requirements, tuition, financial aid, or the application process, please contact: bnosinfo@ucalgary.ca

AG FORUM

LOCAL PROCUREMENT OPPORTUNITIES

In order to assist local business in gaining information on business opportunities with local municipalities, CFB Wainwright etc., the Wainwright Economic Development Office will periodically send out business opportunities featured on   merx.com  and CanadaBuys that pertain particularly to Wainwright and area.

These are systems used by the Government for procurement of goods and services over $25,000.

BDC LAUNCHES FIRST-OF-TS-KIND IN CANADA 50M FUND TO DRIVE BUSINESS ACQUISITIONS BY 
WOMEN ENTREPRENEURS

The Business Development Bank of Canada (BDC) announced the launch of its $50M Thrive Entrepreneurship through Acquisition Fund (Thrive ETA Fund) aiming to support more than 60 Canadian women in acquiring and operating Canadian companies. Over 142,000 entrepreneurs plan to close, transfer or sell their business in the next 5 years, that’s 17.4% of SMEs, representing a unique opportunity to accelerate women’s business ownership.


To support the growing wave of business ownership transitions, BDC is expanding its efforts to foster a more diverse and balanced entrepreneurial landscape. Through its Growth and Transition Capital team, the Bank offers tailored financing solutions that help entrepreneurs acquire businesses without diluting ownership. BDC’s Community Banking team also recently launched an initiative with First Nations Bank of Canada to boost business acquisitions by Indigenous communities and development agencies nationwide.


The Thrive ETA Fund will be managed through BDC’s Thrive Lab for Women. 

The Thrive ETA Fund is a $50M investment envelope and an accelerator to support women in finding, acquiring and operating businesses with:

• $10 million in indirect investments: allocated to Canadian private equity funds that support women-led business acquisitions, helping to strengthen the broader ecosystem
• $40 million in direct investments: dedicated to women ready to acquire a business, whether through a search fund, a management buyout, or a self-funded search
• An accelerator, which will include training, capital access, deal sourcing, mentorship and guidance and a peer community.

ALBERTA YOUTH EMPLOYMENT INCENTIVE

The Alberta Youth Employment Incentive makes it easier - and more rewarding - for employers to bring young talent into their business. Qualified employers can receive up to $7,500 to hire Albertans aged 15 to 24, helping you fill workforce needs today while investing in the skilled workforce of tomorrow.

This program is funded by the Government of Alberta and administered by CAREERS: The Next Generation, a non-profit with nearly 30 years of experience connecting youth and employers across the province.

Applications will be open in early October and funding will be available on a first come first serve basis. To be notified when applications are available – fill out the pre-apply form below.

CANADA-ALBERTA PRODUCTIVITY GRANT

The Canada-Alberta Productivity Grant (CAPG) is now open for applications. 

The CAPG helps eligible employers invest in training that focuses on enhancing productivity skills for their current and future employees that aligns with the needs of their business. 

Applications are accepted year-round.

1 AVENUE CONSTRUCTION NOTICE

UPCOMING BUSINESS EDUCATION

Alberta Government

Request a presentation for your company or organization

at EOP.Presentations@gov.ab.ca

Small Business Week - Termination & Termination Pay: Employer obligations and employee rights. (45 mins.)

October 16, 2025

TFW and Employer Rights and Responsibilities with Regional Employer Supports, the Temporary Foreign Worker Advisory Office and Employment Standards

October 30, 2025

Overview of Employment Standards in Alberta

November 13, 2025

Alberta Women Entrepreneurs

Funding Ready: Build a Business Plan that Lenders will back

October 16, 2025

How to Choose the Right CRM for Your Business

(Even If You’ve Tried Before)

November 13, 2025

Business Link

ABC Design: Introduction to Designing Marketing Graphics

October 16, 2025

Meet Business Link: Free Support for Alberta Entrepreneurs (+ Live Q&A)

October 20, 2025

From Idea to Launch: Small Business Startup Basics

October 22, 2025

Unleash Your Side Hustle Potential

October 24, 2025

The Growth Strategy Hiding in Plain Sight: Barter for Business

October 30, 2025

Part 1: Building a Strong Financial Foundation

November 6, 2025

Part 2: Building Security for Your Business and Family

November 13, 2025

GRANTS AND FUNDING

General

• Indigenous Employment Training Partnerships Program
• Training on the Job Program
• Workforce Partnership Grant
• Workforce Strategies Grant
• Workplace Training Program

Industry-Specific

• Alberta Manufacturing Productivity Grant
• Class 1 Commercial Driver Employment Pathway Grant
• Addressing the Agriculture Labour Task Force Grant Program
• Food Futures Program
• Training & Wage Subsidies for Environmental Jobs
• Youth Employment and Skills Program (YESP)

Apprenticeship related Incentives for Employers:

• Apprenticeship job creation tax credit
• Canada Apprentice Loan
• Apprenticeship Grants: Funding opportunities for skilled trades and apprenticeship
• Supports for skilled trades and apprenticeship
• Canada Tradesperson’s Tool deduction – up to $500 per year
• Supplementary unemployment benefit plan (SUBP)

Youth and Apprenticeships

• CAREERS - Youth Internship Incentive Program (YIIP)
• Empowering Futures for Apprentices
• FIRST (First Industry Research Science Technology) Jobs Pilot Program (Technology Alberta)
• Student Work Placement Program
• Trade Pathways Program
• Youth Employment and Skills Strategy (YESS) Funding Programs

BUSINESS RESOURCES

• Alberta Innovates
• Alberta Women Entrepreneurs
• Agriculture Job Connector
• Alberta Online Learning Centre
• Battle River Alliance for Economic Development
• Business Link
• Community Futures East Central Alberta
• East Central Regional Innovation Network
• Futurpreneur Canada
• Government of Alberta Supports for Business
• Investment & Growth Strategy
• Prairies Economic Development Canada - Canada.ca
• Startup Lloydminster
• Wainwright & District Chamber of Commerce

ECONOMY STATISTICS

• Indicators at a Glance
• Weekly Economic Review
• Labour Market Notes
• Annual Population Estimates for 2025
• Economic Statistics Insights

BUSINESS HIGHLIGHT

If you would like to be featured as a Business Highlight in an upcoming newsletter, please email cherbert@wainwright.ca

Please note that Wainwright Economic Development will not be distributing a newsletter in November 2025.