Market Your Business in Our AC Newsletter
Market Your Business to almost 500 Airdrie Chamber Members by Sponsoring this Popular Bi-monthly Newsletter.

  • Cost: $150 per month (includes two newsletter updates to 675+ emails).
  • Customize your ad(s) for the top and bottom of the newsletter linking to your website.
  • Offer is on a first come, first serve basis.
  • Members can sponsor more than one month in order to maximum your message or promotions throughout the year.
COVID-19 Updates and Support
Step 1 of Alberta’s four-step framework to ease restrictions is underway as pressure eases on the health system and hospitalizations remain below 600. School-related and limited indoor and outdoor children’s sport and performance activities, one-on-one indoor personal fitness with a trainer, and dine-in service at restaurants, cafés and pubs are now permitted provincewide. More information
Limited school and minor sport training were allowed under Step 1 of Alberta’s four-step framework to carefully ease restrictions as pressure on the health system declines. Feb. 8, children and youth were allowed to participate in lessons, practices and conditioning activities for indoor and outdoor team-based minor sports and athletics. All games continue to be prohibited. More information

$465 million for Alberta’s critical workers
The Critical Worker Benefit is a joint federal-provincial program that will see $465 million go to approximately 380,000 Alberta public and private sector workers as $1,200 cash payments. 

COVID-19 rapid testing expanding in Alberta
Rapid testing will be used to screen asymptomatic staff at all long-term care and supportive living facilities in Alberta and a new rapid testing pilot has been launched at two Suncor sites. 

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. Learn more

More support for tourism and other small businesses experiencing COVID-19-related losses across Western Canada
The expanded Regional Relief and Recovery Fund now offers up to an additional $20,000 for eligible small businesses needing continued financial support.

Expansions to the Small and Medium
Enterprise Relaunch Grant Program
Announced in January are now included on the Government of Alberta’s application portal. New businesses that began operating between March and October 2020, as well as unregistered sole proprietors, can now apply for COVID relief funding. More information

Stabilize Program Applications Now Open
Applications are being accepted for the Government of Alberta's Stabilize Program which provides one-time funding support to rodeos, sports, arts and other venue-based organizations. Funding will enable organizations to maintain their operations to support the live experience sector in Alberta. Applications are being accepted until February 18, 2021. More Information
 
Government of Canada addresses
CERB repayments for self-employed individuals
The Government of Canada announced that self-employed individuals who applied for the Canada Emergency Response Benefit (CERB) and would have qualified based on their gross income will not be required to repay the benefit, provided they also met all other eligibility requirements. The same approach will apply whether the individual applied through the Canada Revenue Agency or Service Canada.

In response to the increase in people needing support, the federal government announced EI regulations will be amended to temporarily waive the waiting period for EI claimants who establish a new claim between January 31, 2021, and September 25, 2021. This includes claimants of regular, fishing and special benefits. This temporary change will allow people who are applying for benefits to be paid for their first week of unemployment. More information

All Albertans are now eligible to receive self-isolation supports to help limit the spread of COVID-19. Prior to this expansion, only Albertans in Edmonton and Calgary were eligible for the $625 payment when they completed self-isolating in their assigned hotel. Now, Albertans across the province – including First Nations individuals living both on and off-reserve and people living on Metis Settlements who cannot isolate safely in their own home – are eligible. More information

The new service enhancements for the 2021 tax season include: additional call agents to further increase call centre capacity, new automated callback service and extended call centre hours. Read more
Negotiate Your Lease - Online Workshop
Lease Agreements can be a complex task during the best of times and even more so during a global pandemic. With so many uncertainties and obstacles out of your control, you likely have questions.

Whether you have questions about your existing lease agreement, a lease renewal, Canada Emergency Rent Subsidy (CERS) or entertaining the idea of entering into a brand new lease agreement, this workshop is for you.  

Join the Airdrie Chamber of Commerce - in partnership with the City of Airdrie, to hear Jeff Grandfield, Senior Lease Consultant with The Lease Coach, present on this pressing topic.  

Presenter: 
Jeff Grandfield is a Senior Lease Consultant with The Lease Coach. He has over 15 years of experience coaching, consulting and negotiating for tenants on new leases, lease renewals, mid-term rent reductions and lease assignments. Jeff is a co-author of Negotiating Commercial Leases & Renewals FOR DUMMIES. He is a regular speaker at events across North America and is regularly published in industry magazines and websites.
Right for Your Business Voucher Program
Airdrie's Right for Your Business Voucher Program offers up to $2,000 in financial aid to pay for critical advisors and business professionals to help your business survive the COVID-19 pandemic. Licensed, Airdrie commercial and home-based, Airdrie Chamber of Commerce members who have been negatively impacted by COVID-19 and count on their business as their primary source of income may apply to provide their services through this program. Preference will be given to those who are currently impacted by the Provincial Health restrictions.
Applications are now open.

You are not alone in this – the Economic Development team are committed to keeping businesses supported and informed. Don’t hesitate to reach out to Economic Development at 403.948.8844 or economic.development@airdrie.ca with questions, concerns, or suggestions.
Advocacy In Action
A province-wide telephone town hall was held on February 3rd hosted by Premier Kenney, Dr. Deena Hinshaw - Chief Medical Officer of Health, Martin Long - Parliamentary Secretary for Small Business and Tourism and Doug Schweitzer - Minister of Jobs, Economy and Innovation. This call was specifically held to answer questions from the business community regarding business restrictions and stepped plan to re-opening businesses.

On February 9th, the Alberta Chambers of Commerce also hosted a ZOOM session for Alberta chamber executives and board members to have an open conversation with Premier Kenney. We will continue to have an open dialogue with our elected officials requesting answers on how to assist all businesses to reopen and survive through the COVID-19 crisis.
Heart Airdrie Mask Campaign
Continuing on with our support local "Wear it Proud" campaign, the Airdrie Chamber distributed free Heart Airdrie masks to ten retail members to help drive sales at their business and promote the shop local movement. Customers received their heart Airdrie mask with a minimum purchase from the following retailers over the Valentine's Day weekend. Stay tuned for more info to come on other support local campaigns and heart Airdrie product sales.
Airdrie Downtown Plan Feedback
Thanks to community and business input, the City of Airdrie has completed a draft Downtown Plan and now it’s time to tell the City what you think of the draft plan and the vision that it sets for Airdrie’s downtown.
 
Visit www.airdrie.ca/downtown to view the draft plan and check back often for updates to frequently asked questions. To share your feedback or ask questions, please email downtown@airdrie.ca.
Things That Are Open
Things that are Open is available to you as a free marketing platform supported by the City of Airdrie.
Let the public know that you’re open for business, you’re adapting, and that your business is following COVID-19 guidelines by adding your business or updating your listing. Showcase how your business is serving patrons through this challenging time – via pickup, delivery, online shopping, e-cards or in-person. Sign up for free here. If your business is already on the list, be sure to update your listing.
Stats Canada Is Now Hiring
Looking for a job? Statistics Canada is now hiring enumerators and crew leaders for the #2021Census. There are positions available in every Canadian community.

The 2021 Census of Population, is vital for planning schools, daycare, family services, public transportation, and skills training for employment.

To assist in the collection of census data, Statistics Canada (Stat Can) is hiring approximately 𝟑𝟐,𝟎𝟎𝟎 𝐩𝐞𝐨𝐩𝐥𝐞 across the country.

Crew Leaders will be hired to train, lead and supervise a team of Enumerators, while Enumerators will be hired to complete census questionnaires with residents. In the current context of COVID-19, they are committed to hiring locally and ensuring the safety of their employees and their community members at all times.

For more info, visit census.gc.ca/jobs
Community Spaces Funding
The Co-op Community Spaces Program was established to improve community health and well-being by building places for Western Canadians to come together, build social connections and enable community development.

Projects can apply for between $25,000 and $150,000 in capital funding in three categories:
Online Webinars

Getting into Retail Virtual Workshop Series: Webinar 1 Feb 17

Canada 360 Economic Summit: Feb 17

Cannabis Act Review: Ancillary Businesses: Feb 17

Service Canada Wage Support Session: EI, CRB, CRCB, CRSB: Feb 18

C2C2C Corridors and Infrastructure Webinar: Feb 22

Bank of Canada: A Conversation with Governor Tiff Macklem: Feb 23

The Future of Industry: Energy: Feb 24

Business Link: Recorded Webinars
New Member Spotlight
At Massage Addict Airdrie, we’re all about providing high quality therapeutic treatments. We provide professional, clean, comfortable, and safe massage therapy and reflexology. Our focus is on your overall wellness. And to help you achieve it, Massage Addict recruits only the highest calibre Registered Massage Therapists, Licenced Chiropractors, Registered Acupuncturists and Certified Reflexologists across Canada. We empower those professionals to focus 100% on providing the very best treatments to our clients in our modern, clean clinics that are designed for optimal comfort and relaxation – at a price you can afford. Step into our clinic; you’ll know immediately why Massage Addict is the largest and fastest growing therapeutic provider of massage therapy, chiropractic care, acupuncture and reflexology in the country. Our model welcomes non-members to book treatments, while our members enjoy preferred prices every time they book. It’s like a passport to better health and wellness. Massage Addict is 100% Canadian owned and operated and has multiple clinics nationwide with over 1,200 practicing therapists helping clients manage pain, stress, anxiety, injury, and muscle tension, as well as increasing energy levels and enhancing their general health. Whether you choose massage, chiropractic care, acupuncture or reflexology, you’ll get to enjoy an hour of relaxation for your body and mind. With direct billing to most insurance companies and extended clinic hours, you can add convenience to that list.
Airdrie Chamber of Commerce
102, 150 Edwards Way NW
Airdrie, AB T4B 4B9
403. 948.4412