Happy Small Business Week! 🍂

October is a great time to celebrate the small businesses that make Fort Macleod and our surrounding communities such wonderful places to live, work, and do business. This month’s newsletter is packed with business resources, networking events, and marketing opportunities to help your business connect, grow, and thrive.

As a Chamber member, you also have exclusive access to the Chambers Plan Employee Benefits program, offering valuable benefits for employers of all sizes. Whether you’re a small business with just a few employees or a growing team, the Chamber is here to help you find opportunities, build connections, and support your success.

Thank you for being part of our local business community. We’re proud to celebrate you this Small Business Week and all year long!

Small Business Resources

Find guidebooks, videos and webinars to help start and grow your small business.

👉Are you interested in partnering with the Chamber? Our Community Partnership Program is a great way to increase your visibility in the community and support business initiatives year long in 2027. Contact the Chamber to find out more: fmchamber1888@gmail.com

Our Chamber Members Make Us Stronger! 🤝

Our Chamber community continues to grow, and we’re grateful for the businesses and organizations that make Fort Macleod a stronger, more connected business community. Your membership helps us advocate for local businesses, create opportunities to connect, and support initiatives that make our community thrive.

📅 A reminder that 2027 membership renewals are coming up in January! We look forward to another year of working together to support local business and build a stronger future for Fort Macleod.

Take a look at our membership graphic and make sure your business is included! If you’re interested in joining the Chamber or notice your business is missing from the list, please reach out. We’d love to connect with you!

Our Chamber merch is now available in person at the Allied Arts Centre, Fort Museum, and Chamber office!

Hoodies - $65

T-Shirts - $35

Trucker Caps - $30

Want to order online? Shop through our website and pick up your order at the Chamber office. We are open Tues-Thurs 9am-3pm.

Show your Fort Macleod pride and wear it local! 🙌

Stay informed with the latest resources, training opportunities, funding programs, and business supports available to help your business grow and succeed.

Training Opportunities

Community Futures – Rural Business Blueprint Series

November 12 | From Rural Roots to Revenue

Explore opportunities within your own business to strengthen revenue, identify opportunities and build on what you already do well.

January 21 | Rural Dollars & Decisions

Take a closer look at the numbers behind your business and gain practical insight to help you make more confident financial decisions.

March 11 | Work Smarter in Rural Business

Identify ways to improve efficiency, make better use of your time and resources, and create systems that support your next stage of growth.

COME FOR ONE — OR EXPERIENCE THE FULL SERIES

Choose the sessions that matter most to your business — attend one, a few, or all four.

In-person: $15/session + light lunch

Virtual evening option: FREE | 7:00–8:30 PM

Service Canada

As part of a renewed regional effort to support employers and workers impacted by current economic pressures, Service Canada is increasing awareness of the Work-Sharing Program (WS) and the Worker Retention Grant (WRG). These programs help employers retain skilled workers during temporary business downturns while providing opportunities for employees to participate in training and skills development.

INDUSTRY INNOVATORS

If you keep hiring for the same position over and over, it may be time to look beyond the person and examine the role itself.

In this free training, discover the common reasons employees leave, how to spot early warning signs, and practical ways to improve retention and engagement.

Perfect for small business owners, HR professionals, and managers looking to build stronger teams and reduce costly turnover.

Free Webinars:

Employment Standards in Alberta: Terminations and Termination Pay

October 21, 2026 | 1:30 PM - 2:30 PM

Temporary Foreign Work Advisory Office: TFW and Employer Rights and Responsibilities

October 28, 2026 | 1:30 PM - 2:30 PM

News & Resources

New tool connects employers with skilled talent

The provincial government introduced Talent Exchange during the WorkFirst Alberta Summit, a new platform designed to help employers connect with job seekers based on their skills and experience. By focusing on capabilities rather than job titles, the platform aims to improve talent matching and help businesses address workforce challenges.

Learn more

Business Resources



• Trade Explorer - Business Data Lab has launched Trade Explorer, a new free tool designed to help Canadian businesses identify international markets where their products have strong potential to compete.
• Investment Data Hub - This new tool will support investors and economic developers with direct access to sectoral and regional data to strengthen investment cases across the province.
• Site Selector Tool -A self-serve digital platform that helps businesses and investors find and evaluate suitable properties to expand or locate their business in communities across Alberta.
• Government of Alberta Small Business Resources - Biz Connect connects Alberta entrepreneurs with the tools, guidance, and resources needed to launch and grow a successful business.
• GoA Trade Events Calendar - Find events for export-ready, Alberta-based companies to find new businesses opportunities and to diversify into different markets
• Agriculture Job Connector - Agriculture employers and workers can use these tools and resources to find jobs, skilled workers, financial help and other supports.
• Broadband Project Map- Alberta broadband projects.
• Municipal Dashboards - Provincial and community data, as well as municipal and financial indicators that are updated daily.
• Economic development resources | Alberta.ca - Alberta’s government, agencies and Crown corporations provide a wide variety of resources.
• Alberta Food Centre - Helping the value-added food processing industry bring ideas to market

Funding Opportunities

Canada Summer Jobs (CSJ)

2027 applications open on Tuesday, October 27, 2026 and close on Thursday, December 3, 2026. The program helps employers hire youth aged 15 to 30 for summer roles:

• Not-for-profit organizations can have up to 100% of provincial minimum wage covered.
• Public and private sector employers can have up to 50% covered.

Alberta Industry Skills Grant (NEW)

The Alberta Industry Skills Grant (AISG) supports industries across Alberta to address skill shortages or gaps through industry-driven training opportunities and provides industry-wide benefits to meet current and emerging workforce challenges. Eligible grant projects can receive a minimum of $300,000 and a maximum of $1.5 million in grant funding.

Important dates:

Application status: Open – September 9, 2026 to October 30, 2026

Northern and Regional Economic Development Program (NRED)

NRED funds initiatives led by Alberta municipalities, Indigenous communities and non-profits that promote regional economic development and diversification.

Application Deadline: Nov 19 at 4pm

Business Benefits Finder

See over 200 opportunities for funding for all sectors of business and non-profits.

BRIDGE Program

A pilot program designed to support women entrepreneurs and small business owners who are actively running their business to move from early-stage operations to an established, growth-ready future.

Workplace Training Program (Government of Alberta)

Offers eligible Albertans work-site training and paid work experience. Participating employers provide on-the-job training and/or work experience with government funding contributions, with the expectation that participants maintain employment after completion of the program. 

Workforce Partnerships Grant (Government of Alberta)

Grant program to support labour market adjustment strategies and workforce development through partnerships. 

Canada-Alberta Productivity Grant 

Funding to help employees and unemployed Albertans access training opportunities.

Alberta Youth Employment Incentive

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.

📣 A Rare Opportunity for Billboard Advertising!

Spots are limited and available on a first-come, first-served basis! Contact the Chamber office to reserve or find out more: fmchamber1888@gmail.com

Chambers Plan – Employee Benefits

The Chamber is also proud to offer access to the Chambers Plan Employee Benefits program, a flexible and affordable group benefits plan designed specifically for small and medium-sized businesses.

Contact the Chamber to learn more: fmchamber1888@gmail.com

Additional Savings for our Members!

Did you know? The Alberta Chambers of Commerce has developed a robust benefits package that is available to businesses and their employees belonging to a community chamber across the province.

We’re looking forward to another strong year of collaboration, growth, and celebration in Fort Macleod & District. Thank you for being part of your Chamber — together, we’re building something great.