Our Economic Development team is available at ecdevinfo@cityofgp.com for local businesses who would like assistance navigating ongoing provincial measures.
Federal
Canada Emergency Wage Subsidy (CEWS)
Canadian employers who have seen a drop in revenue due to the COVID-19 pandemic may be eligible for a subsidy to cover part of your employee wages, retroactive to March 15.
More information available here.
Canada Emergency Rent Subsidy (CERS)
Canadian businesses, non-profit organizations, or charities who have seen a drop in revenue due to the COVID-19 pandemic may be eligible for a subsidy to cover part of their commercial rent or property expenses, starting on September 27, 2020, until June 2021.
More information available here.
Canada Emergency Business Account (CEBA) interest-free loans
The Canada Emergency Business Account (CEBA) provides interest-free, partially forgivable, loans of up to $40,000, to small businesses and not-for-profits, that have experienced diminished revenues due to COVID-19 but face ongoing non-deferrable costs, such as rent, utilities, insurance, taxes and wages.
Business owners can apply for support until December 31, 2020 through their banks and credit unions.
More information available here.
Canada’s COVID-19 Economic Response Plan
For general information and other supports available from the Government of Canada, visit Canada’s COVID-19 Economic Response Plan.
Provincial
Small and Medium Enterprise Relaunch Grant
The Small and Medium Enterprise Relaunch Grant offers up to $5,000 in funding for eligible small- and medium-sized businesses, cooperatives and non-profits to offset a portion of their relaunch costs.
Applications for a second payment of the Small and Medium Enterprise Relaunch Grant for businesses operating in areas where new health measures have been implemented will open as soon as possible and more information will be provided once available.
More information available here.
Alberta Biz Connect
For other supports available from the Government of Alberta, visit Alberta Biz Connect.
Municipal (City of Grande Prairie)
Local Marketing Grant
Businesses financially impacted by COVID-19 may be eligible for a grant matching up to 50% of Project Costs, to a maximum of $2,500 for the creation of a marketing plan or marketing content.
A grant equal to 75% Project Costs, to a maximum of $7,500 for the creation of a collaborative marketing plan project promoting three or more businesses.
More information available here.
Beautification & Patio Grant
Businesses financially impacted by COVID-19 may be eligible for a grant matching up to 50% of Project Costs to a maximum $15,000 for any Façade improvement, landscaping or patio project that improves aesthetic appeal, pedestrian access and safety according to the Program Guidelines.
More information available here.
The City of Grande Prairie, County of Grande Prairie and Grande Prairie and District Chamber of Commerce have launched a joint task force to support businesses throughout the COVID-19 pandemic.
The partners are meeting daily as the situation and business needs rapidly evolve. The coordinated regional response is aimed at business and economic recovery and will be introducing new initiatives as needs emerge.
View the full media release here.
For a list of supports available to businesses during the pandemic, visit www.grandeprairiechamber.com/covid-19-business-resiliency/.
On May 7, GPREP shifted its focus to help support local businesses as they prepared to re-open. Read the full media release here.
The Business Relaunch of the GPREP website is available to provide comprehensive and up-to-date information and resources to help support businesses that are re-opening or continuing operations.
Business Relaunch, at www.gprep.ca, offers resources on a range of topics including how to prepare workspaces to reduce the risk of transmission of COVID-19; proper use of personal protective equipment like masks and gloves; employee screening questions; and resources for financial support. A variety of free communication materials, such as decals and posters promoting safe workspaces, can be downloaded and printed right from the site.
GPREP is assisted local businesses to keep workers, patrons & volunteers safe during re-opening through its PPE4Biz Program. A limited supply of masks, gloves and hand sanitizers were available for purchase to eligible businesses in the City and County of Grande Prairie, Hythe, Beaverlodge, Wembley and Sexsmith.
The program closed July 24.
Community Futures Grande Prairie & Region are now offering loans through the Regional Relief and Recovery Fund to small and medium business owners impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic.
The Regional Relief and Recovery Fund provides funding to support businesses that have not been approved for supports through the Canada Emergency Business Account (CEBA) or the Emergency Loan Program delivered through Aboriginal Financial Institutions.
The Alberta Government is providing $30 million to municipalities, charitable and non-profit organizations to provide social services to individuals, seniors, families and other vulnerable Albertans who are isolated or impacted by measures to contain COVID-19.
These organizations will support a range of services needed from at-home help for seniors, crisis and helplines, food security issues, emotional and mental health counselling or any other identified community issues related to COVID-19.
Charitable and non-profit organizations are encouraged to connect directly with their local FCSS program to receive the funding guidelines and grant criteria. FCSS offices will accept the applications on behalf of Community and Social Services and forward them to the Province for deliberation.
Starting Thursday, April 30, the City of Grande Prairie is hosting weekly virtual coffee meetings with local non-profits to discuss challenges and opportunities related to the pandemic.
The meetings take place every Thursday from 10:00 a.m.- 11:00 a.m. until May 28.
To join, contact csd@cityofgp.com and request access to the Zoom meeting.
Learn more in the media release here.
On May 19, 2020, the Government of Canada announced a new Emergency Community Support Fund to provide support to charities and non-profit organizations serving vulnerable populations.
Funds are being distributed through three national networks: Community Foundations of Canada, United Way Centraide Canada and the Canadian Red Cross.
For more information and to apply online visit the Community Foundation's funding page.
