Backgrounder: Funding for northern Alberta business support services

November 12, 2020 – Edmonton, Alberta – Western Economic Diversification Canada

Today, the Honourable Jim Carr, the Prime Minister’s Special Advisor for the Prairies, on behalf of the Honourable Mélanie Joly, Minister of Economic Development and Official Languages, and Minister responsible for Western Economic Diversification Canada (WD), announced over $3.2 million for business support services across northern Alberta. This WD funding comes from the Regional Relief and Recovery Fund (RRRF) and supports the Government of Canada’s campaign to create one million jobs.

The Government of Canada continues to provide funding directly to businesses and individuals to protect jobs and help them weather the economic impacts of COVID-19. But government can’t do it alone. The funding in this announcement goes to not-for-profit organizations on the ground that help local businesses survive and thrive. Among the services they provide:

• Mentoring
• Networking
• Skills training
• Market intelligence
• Transitioning to a digital marketplace

These services are often as important as revenue and liquidity for the success of a small business.

$3.2 million to help support northern Alberta’s Main Street businesses and SMEs

The Regional Relief and Recovery Fund was established to reduce the financial pressure on businesses and allow them to keep operating. The projects announced today include funding for 17 projects to support local businesses across the province.

Complete list of 17 projects in this announcement

• Alberta Chambers of Commerce
• Alberta Community and Co-operative Association
• Alberta Innovates
• BioAlberta
• Business Link Alberta
• Community Futures Grande Prairie & Region
• Community Futures Wood Buffalo
• Council for the Advancement of Native Development Officers (Cando)
• Edmonton Chamber of Commerce
• Edmonton Global
• Edmonton Health City
• Environmental Services Association of Alberta
• Fort McMurray Construction Association
• Innotech Alberta Inc.
• Start Up TNT
• Supply Chain Management Association of Alberta
• Technology Alberta

Related products

• Government of Canada supports 1200 jobs in northern Alberta through targeted help for businesses

• Western Economic Diversification Canada
• Regional Relief and Recovery Fund
• Canada’s COVID-19 Economic Response Plan