(The Canadian Press)

By Justin Goulet

Applications now open for new business relief in Alberta

Feb 4, 2021 | 9:46 AM

LETHBRIDGE, AB – New businesses and unregistered sole proprietors in Alberta can now apply for the provincial government’s relaunch grant.

Last month, expansions was announced for the Small and Medium Enterprise Relaunch Grant program. Those are now available on the Alberta Government’s application portal, which can be found here.

New businesses that started operating between March and October 2020, as well as unregistered sole proprietors can now apply for COVID-19 relief funding.

“Even during the pandemic, Alberta saw around 10,000 new businesses open across the province in 2020. These new businesses were started by Albertans who had the entrepreneurial spirit and confidence to bet on Alberta,” stated Doug Schweitzer, the province’s Minister of Jobs, Economy and Innovation.

“Entrepreneurs, whether new or experienced, need to know that Alberta’s government is here to support them.”

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The Small and Medium Enterprise Relaunch Grant offers financial aid to Alberta businesses, cooperatives and non-profit organizations with less than 500 employees that have faced restrictions or closures due to the pandemic-related public health orders and have experienced revenue losses of at least 30 percent.

Businesses are able to use the funds as they see fit to offset the costs they’re facing as they relaunch their operations.

This can include the cost of items that help prevent the spread of COVID-19, like personal protective equipment (PPE) and cleaning supplies, as well as rent, employee wages and the replacement of inventory.

Additionally, the funds can be used to help businesses expand their online presence or e-commerce opportunities so that they can continue to serve customers. These grants do not need to be repaid.

The program initially started at the end of June 2020 and the province has committed $500 million to the grants.

Application intake will be open until March 31, 2021, unless stated otherwise.

According to the Government of Alberta, it has provided more than $327 million to over 47,000 businesses through the Small and Medium Enterprise Relaunch Grant program.

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