Premier Jason Kenney -- Image from Government Press Conference

By Connor Gunn

ENHANCED COVID-19 BUSINESS BENEFIT

$120 million in grants announced for Alberta small businesses

Feb 17, 2021 | 3:10 PM

EDMONTON, AB– Alberta will be providing $120 million in extra financial help to small businesses impacted by the pandemic and public health restrictions.

Premier Jason Kenney announced this grant will help small and medium businesses to weather the storm brought on by the pandemic.

$10,000 will go towards eligible businesses through the “Enhanced COVID-19 Business Benefit.”

The benefit will give businesses that have experienced a 60 per cent or more drop in revenue up to $10,000 to meet their expenses.

Funds can be used to:

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• Cover costs of items that help prevent the spread of COVID-19, such as personal protective equipment and cleaning supplies.
• Pay rent, employee wages, or replace inventory.
• Help businesses expand their online presence or e-commerce opportunities so that they can continue to serve customers.

“This new benefit will replace the small and medium enterprise relaunch grant when it expires on March 31st,” Kenney highlights.

The previous grant was launched back in June of 2020, with the new grant being released to partially help small businesses now and into 2021.

Kenney says the funding allocation was needed because even though vaccines have been rolled out in Alberta, he does not know how long the pandemic will last.

He adds, small and medium businesses make up 99 per cent of the businesses in Alberta, saying the government has to support them in any way possible.

Alberta businesses, cooperatives, and non-profit organizations with fewer than 500 employees can apply for the benefit.

Specific details on when and how businesses will be able to apply are still unclear, we will provide an update when that information is available.

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