COVID-19 Business Resources Weekly Update May 19, 2020
Stage 1 is Underway
Is your business ready to re-open? Our hope is that the below links and documents will be helpful to you in this time of uncertainty. We are still maintaining a Status of Local Businesses list on the Chamber website so if your business is re-opening, changing your hours or making any other changes please let us know .

Template Available for Businesses to Write Their Relaunch Plans
A reminder that all workplaces are expected to develop and implement policies and procedures to address COVID-19, and must post them . A template to create your own policies and procedures is now available on the Government of Alberta's Biz Connect Website.

Additional resources have been added to Biz Connect , including Guidance For Wearing of Non-Medical Face Masks for the General Public.

Provide Your Feedback on the Relaunch
The Alberta Chambers of Commerce (ACC) has launched a Pulse Survey to gather insights on the barriers businesses face reopening in Phase 1 of the economic relaunch, and with the ongoing impacts of COVID-19 and low oil prices.
Share your feedback on government relief measures and business supports by taking the short survey here: https://albertaperspectives.vision-critical.com/c/r/ab-covid-pulsecheck2-2020-chambers
Over 700 responses were received for the first survey; view those results here .
Where Can You Find Sanitizer, Shields, and PPE in Drumheller?


The Drumheller and District Chamber of Commerce is now helping distribute Plexiglas shields, social distancing stickers, signage and mask starter packs (4 disposable masks) to businesses that are either already open or opening soon. Please call us at 403-823-8100 to make an appointment if you wish to pick up items.
Federal Updates
Canada Emergency Wage Subsidy Will Be Extended to August 29, 2020
The wage subsidy will be extended to August 29, 2020 and additional types of organizations are now eligible to apply. Neither the 30% drop in revenue requirement nor the allowed types of payroll used in calculations have changed. Read more

Canada Emergency Commercial Rent Assistance - application expected to open in the second half of May. View the latest details .

Regional Relief & Recovery Fund
This $962-million Government of Canada fund is to support small and medium size businesses that did not qualify for federal government funding supports such as the Canada Emergency Business Account (CEBA) or Business Credit Availability Program (BCAP) but have been negatively impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. These businesses can now apply for loans of up to $40,000 through RRRF. Read more

Provincial Updates
The Alberta Government announced that temporary lay-offs due to COVID-19 that were underway as of March 17 will now be extended for up to 120 days . This applies to Albertans who were temporarily laid off due to COVID-19 .  Read more

Call for pre-qualified contractors (Alberta Purchasing Connection)
Accommodation : The purpose of this PQR process is to identify Pre-Qualified Contractors with the ability to provide accommodation services with set rates across the province for Approved Individuals.
Transportation : The purpose of this PQR process is to identify Pre-Qualified Contractors with the ability to provide passenger transportation services with set rates across Alberta for Approved Individuals to and from Commercial Accommodation.

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Reminder- Drumheller COVID-19 Economic Recovery Task Force

Is your organization experiencing financial concerns, and unsure of what steps to take in terms of loans, grants, etc?
The Town of Drumheller and Drumheller & District Chamber of Commerce have established an Economic Recovery Task Force to help local businesses, residents, non-profits and charitable organizations navigate the various financial aid, grants, and deferral programs currently offered by government agencies . Access free guidance from a number of local advisors.

Check out www.drumhellerchamber.com for more details.
Chamber Network At Work For Business

From the Medicine Hat & District Chamber of Commerce: 5 Steps for Businesses to Relaunch & 5 Steps For Businesses to Manage COVID-19


The heads of more than 20 business organizations—including the Alberta Chambers of Commerce —issued a letter to Prime Minister Justin Trudeau regarding COVID-19 sick pay. The letter states:
"In these circumstances, we believe senior governments should shoulder any costs associated with time away from work (i.e. sick pay) associated with the current pandemic. At a time when many businesses have been hit extremely hard by the economic fallout from the pandemic, it is simply not reasonable for businesses to be expected to cover sick-pay costs for COVID-19 which, at its core, is a global pandemic and a national and provincial public health emergency." Read more

On May 12, the presidents and CEOs of Canada’s national and provincial chambers of commerce issued an open letter to Minister Hadju and a memo to provincial, territorial, and federal governments requesting a coordinated approach to the reopening of Canada's economy.  
How can we help you?

The Drumheller and District Chamber of Commerce understands that COVID-19 is going to impact our local business community and beyond. We want to ensure that you have information available to you and to ensure that we are all doing our part to help minimize the impact this pandemic has locally on our community.

Please reach out to us via email ( [email protected] ) or telephone (403-823-8100) to share with us how your business is being impacted and what support you require going forward.

Thank you. Please stay safe and healthy.

Your Drumheller & District Chamber of Commerce Team
Drumheller and District Chamber of Commerce | 403-823-8100