COVID-19 Business Resiliency
COVID-19 Business Resiliency
The Chamber of Commerce along with the City of Grande Prairie and County of Grande Prairie Economic Development Departments are working together to provide a unified approach to supporting local businesses during these unprecedented times. Many businesses may be experiencing difficult choices or financial hardship during the COVID-19 crisis and below is a list of resources to help you navigate the various levels of support. If you still have questions, please contact our CEO Tanya Oliver by email tanya@gpchamber.com
Our latest initiative is a Digital Marketing Training program for eligible businesses in the region offered in partnership with Community Future Grande Prairie & Region and nine10 Inc. Successful applicants have been contacted and the program will begin shortly. Thank you to everyone who applied. We hope to be able to provide more opportunity for training in the future.
THANK YOU TO MNP Partners Heather Hilhorst and Tracy Leishman for presenting information on what we need to know to navigate the most recent Canada Emergency Wage Subsidy updates, and thanks to everyone who attended the Zoom webinar.
A ink to the recording has been uploaded here along with past webinars. For the power point presentation, please CLICK HERE.
Digital Marketing Training
The Business Resiliency Taskforce, in partnership with Community Futures and nine10 Marketing is excited to offer a Digital Marketing Training for eligible local businesses in the region. The training sessions will be focused on empowering local businesses with knowledge and skills to develop a brand and navigate the digital realm of Websites, Social Media and Search.
For full program details, click here.
Submissions are now closed and successful applicants have been contacted.
To our valued members, we are proud to work with GPREP to bring the business ambassador team to life. The team is here to support you as you prepare to re-open.
Learn more at gprep.ca/business-relaunch
The Business Ambassador Team continues to connect with local stakeholders to determine the best methods to support local businesses as the province begins lifting restrictions. Any businesses interested in speaking to a Business Ambassador are encouraged to e-mail: business@gprepeoc.com
Chambers Insurance Plan COVID-19 Business Resource Centre
Alberta's Relaunch Guidance Documents
Alberta Relaunch Grant for Small Business
Community Initiatives Program (CIP) Project-Based grant
COVID-19 Relaunch Community Conversations for Business:
20-05-21 - Business relaunch FAQ FINAL
Alberta's Supply Chain Workforce Marketplace
COVID-19 resource links from the Alberta Chambers of Commerce
CLICK HERE
Canadian Chamber of Commerce - Canadian Business Resiliency Network
Business Resilience Service 1-866-989-1080
Canada’s COVID-19 Economic Response Plan: Support for Canadians and Businesses
Government of Canada Find Financial Help During COVID-19
Innovation Canada Support for Business
Canada Emergency Commercial Rent Assistance (CECRA)
Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) Rapid Response Platform
ATB Nexus PPE Products and Services
Federal Call to Action for Manufacturers
Canadian Business Resiliency Network Reopening Toolkit
Retail Council of Canada Information:
RCC-Playbook-for-Retail-re-entry_Employee-Wellbeing_Edition1
RCC-Playbook-for-Retail-Re-entry_Customer-Health-Safety_Edition1
Retail Council of Canada Talent Exchange
5 Steps for Business to Relaunch - from the Medicine Hat & District Chamber of Commerce
5 Steps for Business: How to Manage COVID-19 - from the Medicine Hat & District Chamber of Commerce
Calgary Chamber of Commerce: Powering Up Toolkit
Edmonton Chamber of Commerce: Business Relaunch Toolkit
If you see facilities that are not following the limitations and restrictions of the province, please notify public health inspectors through the online complaint form.
Application - Regional Relief and Recovery Fund
Wellness Together Canada will connect Canadians to peer support workers, social workers, psychologists and other professionals for confidential chat sessions or phone calls and will make it easier to find credible information and help address mental health and substance use issues.
If you or someone you know needs emotional support or feels overwhelmed, remember you are not alone. Please reach out to one of these resources for help. GPREP MENTAL HEALTH RESOURCE LIST
Local.Business.Advice. Grande Prairie & Area avail.gp
AVAIL.GP Press Release
Resources for Small Businesses - Business Link
COVIDContinuity.com Resources for Reopening
Finding the way forward: Guiding businesses through coronavirus (COVID-19) – Grant Thornton
BDC Support for Entrepreneurs Impacted by COVID-19
BDC COVID-19 Supports for Canadian Businesses
Farm Credit Canada COVID-19 Resources for Business
MNP MPact Magazine - focusing on resources, insights and information to guide businesses through these uncertain times.
ATB Workbook for Moving Business Forward in Times of Crisis
Restaurants Canada Best Practices for Reopening
Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation Coronavirus Updates
Canada Post "Think Small" Program
Business Advisory Services Voucher Program
The Business Resiliency Taskforce (BRT) made up of the City of Grande Prairie, County of Grande Prairie and the Grande Prairie and District Chamber of Commerce, formed on March 17 to assess and re-evaluate the current economic situation and the changing nature of business needs during COVID-19.
As one of its first initiatives, BRT worked with Community Futures Grande Prairie & Region to create the Business Advisory Voucher Program. The program focused on connecting eligible businesses impacted by COVID-19 with professional services to assist in pivoting their operations and remaining viable during the pandemic, particularly when most businesses were mandated to close. Community Futures was responsible for administration of the program.
The initial phase of this program saw the partners contribute $50,000 towards addressing businesses' immediate needs and opportunities to pivot, followed by connecting businesses and providing up to $3,000 in funding for critical services.
During this initial phase, it was discovered that the majority of businesses in the program required support in their digital services and marketing efforts. Due to COVID-19, digital marketing and digital services has become a necessity as many individuals are limiting their outings and spending more time at home. Even while businesses are permitted to open, the volume of activity that used to occur at brick-and-mortar locations has changed drastically due to hyper localized shopping. Remaining viable in this new reality has become more dependent than ever on having a digital presence. Businesses in the area typically serve a trading area population of 290,000 which has been significantly reduced due to travel restrictions, particularly in neighbouring provinces.
Through Community Future’s triage of businesses in the program, it was discovered that 75% of businesses accepted into the program identified digital services and marketing as an area that they required support. Of the 21 businesses approved for additional business support services, 16 businesses pursued digital services and marketing.
With the findings noted above, the natural progression for phase 2 of the project is to focus on empowering local businesses with knowledge and skills to navigate the digital realm.
PLEASE SEE THE DIGITAL MARKETING TRAINING TAB ABOVE!
THANK YOU for showing us on Facebook what you’re doing to #LoveLocalGP . The Business Resiliency Taskforce awarded $9200 in Chamber Cheques which were redeemable at any of our 13 hundred member businesses. Please continue to support ALL businesses in the Grande Prairie & District area including the City of Grande Prairie, County of Grande Prairie, Sexsmith, Beaverlodge, Wembley, and Hyther.
#LoveLocalGP
Local businesses are the backbone of our community and right now they need us more than ever. There are many ways to support local businesses while continuing to respect physical distancing measures. #LoveLocalGP is a small way to help spread the local love and remind others how to love local. Share the #LoveLocalGP graphics below to encourage others to Love Local too.
For further insight and support, the partners have been hosting a series of webinars with local experts that we believe to be of value.
To learn about the Business Resiliency Task-Force events please check our webpage: http://gp-businessresiliencytask-force.eventbrite.com/
We would like to thank you for attending our events and sending us topics that you would like covered. This allows us to give the information to the business community in a timely manner.
Please feel free to share this information with your networks.
CLICK HERE for the complete series of BRT Webinars to date!
Things That Are Open In Grande Prairie website
CLICK HERE
Everything Business - Everything GP/Big Country 93.1/Q99
CLICK HERE
Operation Support Local - 97.7 ROCK
CLICK HERE
Open For Business - 2DayFM/My Grande Prairie Now
CLICK HERE
Connect With Local Businesses - Daily Herald Tribune
CLICK HERE
