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Fuelling Our Business Community
Our Board of Directors passed three policies at their meeting this past week. These policies will be brought forward to the provincial Chamber network in May.

These new policies advocate for access to workplace mental health supports, expediting grazing lease applications and providing equitable air ambulance funding across the province - all issues that were brought forward as business concerns from our community. Read our press release.
Congratulations to Kathleen Longpre who is our first Member Madness Contest!

Thank you to Nourish Body & Soul Inc. for helping us share some of that local love with our community.

Stay tuned for more Member Madness over the next few months. Keep up to date by checking out our Facebook page.
Our Second Vice President Trevor Anhel spoke to CHAT TV this past week about WestJet announcing that they were temporarily suspending service from Medicine Hat Airport.

We know that this decision wasn't made quickly or lightly and realize that the aviation industry has faced incredible challenges during this COVID pandemic.
We were pleased to hold a Service Canada Virtual Session this past week that explained the various benefits that are available to Canadians. For anyone with follow up questions please feel free to email Elizabelle or Nicole who were our CRA presenters.
Quick Check Up
AB Trace Together

Last year was the Twilight Zone in the world of business. Sales, owners’ and managers’ sanity and employees’ resilience alike were up and down like a toilet seat. One day they were open for business. The next they were closed. Or pivoting to online. They were holding meetings on Zoom. Getting Zoom bombed. Read more
Your Weekly Tune Up
Alberta’s government will begin offering COVID-19 vaccines to all seniors aged 75 and over provincewide. Starting Feb. 19, Alberta Health Services will offer the vaccine directly to all residents in retirement centres, lodges, supportive living and other congregate living facilities with residents who are aged 75 or older. Starting Feb. 24, any Albertan living in the community who was born in 1946 or earlier will be eligible to book an appointment for a COVID-19 vaccine. Appointment availability will be based on vaccine supply. More information.
Businesses that can demonstrate a revenue reduction of 60 percent or more will be eligible to receive 15 percent of their monthly revenue, up to a maximum of $10,000 under the Enhanced COVID-19 Business Benefit. This benefit is intended to provide additional support in cases where federal programs fall short. Businesses are required to report the total amount of provincial and federal support received, to ensure no more than 80 percent of revenue is covered. Payments under the Enhanced COVID-19 Business Benefit will be available in April 2021 following the conclusion of the Small and Medium Enterprise Relaunch Grant program. Organizations eligible for the Small and Medium Enterprise Relaunch Grant can apply for funding through this program until March 31.
Small and medium sized companies may access up to $75,000 in funding to assist with international market development activities. A new application system was launched recently and applicants are encouraged to apply for projects beginning after April 1, 2021. More information.
Growing your company and finding new markets for your product or service may seem daunting. That is why there are over 1000, trade commissioners located in more than 160 cities worldwide with six regional offices across Canada. These commissioners guide Canadian companies on their international business journey. Read more
Re-opening safely and protecting the public and employees is top of mind for our business community. If you are looking for specific industry guidelines and financial help make sure to visit Alberta Biz Connect. Find answers to the questions asked of the Premier at our network meeting last week in our blog post.
If you have questions that are not addressed on the Biz Connect website page, please contact the Biz Connect team email: BizConnect@gov.ab.ca or submit your question online: https://extranet.gov.ab.ca/opinio6/s?s=50675
Lisa Kowalchuk, gave our followers a great little tutorial on our Facebook page today! Check it out below:
Want to know what else happened that you need to know?
Enriching Your Business
We're pretty excited to showcase all our amazing Community Builder members on the big welcome sign located on the TransCanada Highway.

If you're interested in becoming a Community Builder of curious about any other openings on those highway signs contact Chantel Fischer, our Membership Services Coordinator.
Sales and Promotions
Welcome to our New Members
Advocacy in Action
Empty tables don’t pay bills: new data reveals ongoing decline in food services
The Canadian Chamber of Commerce today commented on newly released data from Statistics Canada reconfirming that the food service sector has been disproportionally harmed by the ongoing pandemic.
Fill up on Funding
Grants of up to $5,000 are still available for small businesses to cover expenses related to personal protective equipment (PPE), renovations to accommodate re-opening guidelines and developing or improving website and e-commerce capabilities.
Interested in a career in retail? Are you currently enrolled at a Canadian College or University? Do you currently work in retail? You could be eligible for a Retail Education Scholarship.
Next Level Events
2021 Employer Information Session for Student Wage Subsidy Program Assistance
Member Spotlight
Join the entire ag industry as we share our pride, open doors to new food conversations, and trend again on social media across Canada. Make sure to use the hashtag #CdnAgDay.

In 2021, with the emphasis on virtual celebrations, you can expect your posts on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram to get more engagement than ever. If you have a great photo or video in mind, save it now so you can share it on the big day.
Some exciting news from the Medicine Hat Exhibition & Stampede. They recently elected a new board and also a new General Manager, Kara Brake. Congratulations!

We wish the retiring GM Jim MacArthur happy trails and much thanks for his years of dedication to MHE&S and our community!
Helpful Webinars
Board Development Webinar Series
The Role of the Board’s Chair

Winter 2021
Cybersecurity: What’s the Board’s Role?
Winter 2021
Find more webinars in our Webinar Calendar
Sparking Conversation
Tell us how you shared some local love this month:
Ordered from, dined in or picked up food from a restaurant
Bought a gift from a local retailer
Booked a staycation
Booked an appointment and indulged in some pampering
Useful Links
Find more updates on our social media