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
For further insight and support, the partners have been hosting a series of webinars with local experts that we believe to be of value.
On December 16th we heard from our friends at MNP regarding updates to the new and revised government funding designed to help small businesses stay afloat during this economic upset. Information on the Canada Emergency Rent Subsidy (CERS), the Canada Emergency Wage Subsidy (CEWS), CEBA, individual benefits and the Alberta Relaunch Grant was presented. The link to the presentation can be accessed here.
For additional information on the Business Resiliency Task-Force (Grande Prairie & District Chamber of Commerce, City of Grande Prairie and County of Grande Prairie Economic Development Departments) current and past webinars and to register please visit our Eventbrite page.
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 Webinar recordings to date!
However, this training is not ending but will continue to be delivered through nine10 as a private program. Contact nine10 for more details, including how you may be able to get some or all training fees covered through government training grants. Program details are still in development at this time.
Additionally, you are welcome to reach out to any of the partners to explore other ideas for furthering the promotion of your company. For businesses located in the City of Grande Prairie, we encourage you to review the Local Marketing Grant for consideration: https://www.cityofgp.com/economic-recovery/local-marketing-grant
If you have any questions, please contact Chamber CEO Tanya Oliver by email tanya@gpchamber.com.
For full program details and eligibility criteria, click here.
THANK YOU to everyone who showed us on Facebook how much you #lovelocalgp.
A total of $9,500 to spend locally was awarded to randomly drawn contest participants including five weekly prizes of $200 over the six weeks of the contest as well as the grand prizes of $2,000, $1,000, and $500.
The grand prize winners were:
$500 - Heather MacAskill Logan
$1,000 - Theresa Sankovic
$2,000 - Linda Krawchuk-Nagge
Government of Alberta COVID-19 Information for Albertans
- Mandatory, provincewide restrictions are in effect to protect the health system and slow the spread of COVID-19
- Enhanced Public Health Measures announced November 24
- Workplace Guidance Documents
- Reduced Capacity and Occupant Loads as of November 27
- How to calculate the 15% capacity restriction
Small and Medium Enterprise Relaunch Grant
Community Initiatives Program (CIP) Project-Based Grant
Canada’s COVID-19 Economic Response Plan
Canada COVID-19 General Information
Innovation Canada COVID-19 Business Resources
- Canada Emergency Rent Subsidy (CERS)
- Canada Emergency Wage Subsidy (CEWS)
- Canada Emergency Business Account (CEBA)
SERVICE CANADA SUMMARIES OF SERVICES:
AVAIL.GP - Local.Business.Advice. Grande Prairie & Area
Business Link - Resources for Small Business
- Business Link Business Planning Tool
COVIDContinuity.com Resources for Business
Grant Thornton LLP - COVID-19 Business Resources
BDC - COVID-19 Supports for Canadian Business
Farm Credit Canada - COVID-19 Resources for Business
MNP - COVID-19 Information for Business
BDO - COVID-19 Information for Business
ATB - COVID-19 Information for Business
Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation - COVID-19 Updates
Deloitte - COVID-19 Information for Business
Community Futures Regional Relief and Recovery Fund
Business Advisory Services Voucher Program
A BRIEF HISTORY
The Business Resiliency Taskforce (BRT) made up of the City of Grande Prairie, County of Grande Prairie and the Grande Prairie & 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!
