Dedicated Support
There is a dedicated staff member who will be available by phone to help businesses find and connect to the resources they need to support them.
Call 403-938-8052
Alerts
Covid-19 Business Resources
COVID update
REP Update: Full vaccination required to enter Town recreation facilities. Learn more
Resources: Restrictions Exemption Program / Capacity Limits/Masks
The business community is welcome to use the following downloadable materials at their discretion.
The Government of Alberta has committed $20 million in funding for the Restrictions Exemption Program Implementation Grant.
The grant provides a one-time payment of $2,000 to eligible businesses, cooperatives and non-profit organizations that choose to implement the Restrictions Exemption Program. Click button to learn more.
The Restrictions Exemption Program (REP) is a program that the Government of Alberta will roll out on Sept. 20 as part of its COVID-19 Public Health Actions to prevent the spread of COVID-19. It will allow businesses and organizations an opportunity to continue providing services without reducing capacity limits. Read more about the Provincial REP program.Restrictions Exemption Program posters
Capacity limit posters
_Page_1.png)
_Page_2.png)
Printable poster about mandatory mask wearing to help prevent the spread of COVID-19 in Alberta. For more information visit alberta.ca/covid19- Size: 11 x 17
Alberta Re-launch Resources
Resources and information to help your business re-open
Alberta Re-Launch Strategy
The Alberta Government has provided a plan for a staged re-launch of businesses through several phases. A link to the entire plan is available on the menu to the right.
Details
As businesses prepare to reopen as part of Alberta's relaunch strategy, resources are available to help keep you, your staff, and your customers safe.
This site includes a variety of PDFs, and resources on policies and general guidance as well as for businesses by sector, planning for operation.
Resources
The Government of Alberta has developed a reference document for businesses on reducing the risk of transmission of COVID-19 among workers, volunteers and patrons, and outlines the criteria for workplaces before re-opening.
Reference Guide
Experts have predicted that there could be two or three waves of COVID-19 outbreaks. The Alberta Government has prepared a checklist to help businesses prepare for future situations:
Checklist
On May 19, 2020, the Minister of Economic Development, Trade and Tourism announced that hotels and other lodging providers will be allowed to keep tourism levy amounts collected between March 1 and December 31, 2020.
Details
Federal Resources
Canada’s COVID-19 Economic Response Plan:
This includes information related to programs being provided to businesses during COVID-19
Details
CEBA will be available to businesses that have been operating out of a non-business banking account.
To be eligible, businesses must have been operating as a business as of March 1, 2020, must successfully open a business account at a Canadian financial institution that is participating in CEBA, and meet the other existing CEBA eligibility criteria. The deadline to apply for CEBA is December 31, 2020.
CEBA is part of our economic response plan to help Canadians and Canadian businesses deal with the COVID-19 pandemic. The measures under this plan are helping businesses keep their doors open, keep their employees on payroll, protect the jobs that Canadians depend on, and recover quickly when the time comes.
Extension announced until June, 2021
Details
How to apply
The Canada Emergency Wage Subsidy calculator supports employers as they prepare to apply for the CEWS.
Calculator
Business Development bank of Canada
BDC has announced new measures to support Canadian entrepreneurs including working capital, payment postponements and rate reductions
Effective immediately, new relief measures for qualified businesses include:
- Working capital loans of up to $2 million with flexible terms and payment postponements for up to 6 months for qualifying businesses;
- Postponement of payments for up to six months, free of charge, for existing BDC clients with total BDC loan commitment of $1 million or less
COVID-19: Business planning tools for entrepreneurs
These planning tools and tips can help you map out your next steps, identify new opportunities, mitigate risk and create resilience in your company, so you can emerge strong in recovery.
Planning Tools
Canadian Federation of Independent Business
The CFIB had added staff to better support businesses during this time. Their website includes lots of information to support small business. Support for:
- Coronavirus and small business: keeping you and your employees safe
- Providing answers to numerous questions and other information available
A list of CharityVillage resources, tools, and services available to assist your organization. Job posting fees have been reduced by 15% effective immediately for everyone until May 31, 2020.
Details
Charity Village Website
If you are a Canadian manufacturer or business that can assist Canada in meeting the need for medical supplies, your help is needed.
Find opportunities to sell goods and services related to COVID-19 to the Government of Canada.
My Business Wants to Help
The National Research Council of Canada’s Industrial Research Assistance Program provides advice, connections, and funding to help Canadian small and medium-sized businesses increase their innovation capacity and take their ideas to market. Check this link for current opportunities.
Resources to help your nonprofit during the COVID-19 pandemic.
DETAILS
Funding available for applicants under jobs and growth and tourism recovery programs
Businesses will be able to apply for two different kinds of support:
- Stream 1: Grow Your Business Online, will help SMEs take advantage of e-commerce opportunities
- Stream 2: Boost Your Business Technology, will help businesses with the development and implementation of digital adoption strategies
Additional Digital Support
Use the ExploreIP tool: Canada’s IP Marketplace: a new, online resource for businesses to explore possible licensing and collaboration opportunities with public sector patent holders.
ExploreIP also now has a “COVID-19 related” category to help users find technologies that could help combat COVID-19.
Small and medium sized companies may access up to $50,000 in funding to assist with international market development activities. Funding covers up to 50% of costs for export marketing of your products and services in international markets where you have little or no sales.
The program will begin accepting new applications on January 10, 2022
Canadian Technology Accelerators (CTAs) empower Canadian high-potential, high-growth tech companies that have a market-ready technology or product to explore global growth opportunities. Three main sectors of activity include:
- cleantech
- digital industries and information and communications technologies (ICT)
- life sciences and digital health
- of note, the United Kingdom digital energy solutions, Cleantech application deadline January 21, 2022
- LGBTQ2+ to increase exposure and participation in federal procurement
- Letter of Invitation to Canadian LGBTQ2+ -owned or -led businesses to provide info on their businesses
- Closes January 28, 2022
- Invitation to Canadian businesses owned or led by persons with disabilities to tell us about their businesses
- Closes January 21, 2022
- Closes January 21, 2022
- LGBTQ2+ to increase exposure and participation in federal procurement
These loans are for small and medium-sized businesses that have seen their revenues decrease by 50% or more as a result of COVID-19. The guarantee covers amounts ranging from $25,000 to $1 million to ensure a degree of continuity for your business through the pandemic.
Additional BDC Support
BDC also has a Supplier Diversity platform where registered suppliers benefit from increased visibility to the procurement team and other buyers in the organization who can invite suppliers to bid for new business contracts. Learn more
Government of Alberta
List of provincial government programs for businesses
Support for Employers
Financial support for working Albertans who are experiencing a loss of income resulting from self-isolation due to COVID-19.
Details
Emergency Financial Services
Wage top-up and professional development funding is available to support certified child care professionals
More Details
Several changes were introduced in 2020 to help with temporary layoffs related to COVID-19
DetailsWorkers, employers and health care providers can find information and resources for the workers' compensation system Here.
Links
The Alberta government is temporarily expanding eligibility to the Canada-Alberta Job Grant (CAJG) to help businesses access the training they need. The expansion is effective until February 28, 2022. Expanded eligibility includes:
- Funding mandatory training. Use the CAJG to fund courses or training that is required for a job.
- Allowing employers to train employed family members. Enables family-owned businesses to access training funds.
- Allowing some business owners to receive funding to train themselves. Supports entrepreneurs to expand their skill set to grow or pivot their business.
In addition, other changes will make the application process more efficient. For example, an employee’s training can start as soon as government receives an application, rather than having to wait for the application to be approved. This allows businesses to begin training sooner if required.
Temporarily expanding the CAJG provides more opportunities for businesses to access support as part of Alberta’s Recovery Plan.
Learn more about the program and apply online: alberta.ca/CAJG
The Critical Worker Benefit will provide a one-time payment of $1,200 to eligible Albertans in recognition of their hard work to provide Albertans with the care and critical services they need.
Eligible workers in the health care, social services, education and private sectors will receive a $1,200 benefit distributed through their employers.
Private sector employers have until Friday, March 19, 2021 to apply for the benefit on behalf of their eligible employees.
To be eligible for the Critical Worker Benefit, private sector workers must:
- earn $25 per hour or less
- have worked at least 300 hours between the period of October 12, 2020 and January 31, 2021
- be located and working in Alberta
Workers listed in the following private sectors are eligible to receive the Critical Worker Benefit:
- Retail – grocery, pharmacy and gas
- Food manufacturing
- Truck transportation of food and medical supplies
- Warehousing and storage of food and medical supplies
- Private health clinics
- Private sector workers in First Nations communities
From May 20 to August 31, 2021, employers can apply to the Albertan Jobs Now program to cover wages or training costs of hiring unemployed or underemployed workers in new or vacant positions. This funding will help employers re-open or expand their operations.
More than 22,000 Albertans will be able to get back to work through the largest jobs training program in Alberta’s history.
The Alberta Jobs Now program will provide up to $370 million to help private and non-profit businesses support much-needed jobs for unemployed and underemployed Albertans across the province and help Alberta’s economy recover.
Employers will be able to apply for a grant that covers 25 per cent of an employee’s salary for a 52-week period up to a maximum of $25,000 per employee. The grant can be used to cover salary or training costs. Employers who hire persons with disabilities will receive a grant 1.5 times higher than the amount they receive for other new employees.
APPLICATION DETAILS
-Private sector businesses and non-profit organizations in Alberta can apply.
-Applications will be assessed on a first come, first served basis
Provincial Resources
Alberta’s government is investing $17 million to ensure the stabilization of performing arts, sports and rodeo organizations.
Alberta’s live experience organizations have been hard hit by the COVID-19 pandemic. They have lost a full season of programming and revenue but still have ongoing overhead costs. The Stabilize Program will provide one-time grant funding to support live experience presenting and performing arts, sport and rodeo organizations. The funding will help these organizations continue to operate and reopen when it is safe to do so.
Quick details
The Stabilize Program will support and leverage Albertans’ investments to non-profit organizations that own and/or operate live experience venues by matching private donations from $250,000 to $1 million dollar for dollar
The maximum funding request is up to 25% of eligible expenses. These expenses are based on the 2 most recent board-approved/audited financial statements up to and including March 31, 2020
- To be eligible, organizations must be registered for a minimum of 3 calendar years (and in good standing) under one of the acts below. The exception to this is for Alberta-based professional or elite amateur sports teams and leagues.
- Applications will remain open until midnight on February 18, 2021
Are you an innovator? Are you working on technology development. Check the Alberta Innovates site for more details on supports and funding.
Details
Alberta Innovates held their Inventures Conference online. These videos are now available and provide information about funding for innovative, start up businesses, from ideating to establishing.
Session 1: Support for Startups (ideating and concepting)
Webinar
Session 2: Support through the "Valley of Death" (committing and validating)
Webinar
Sesssion 3: Support for Growth (Scaling and Establishing)
Webinar
If a company/stakeholder/client is interested in offering support/or products during this Covid 19 emergency, please provide details on the product or service on Alberta Purchasing Connection’s Emergency Response Database. Should there be an emergency requirement for the product or service, the company will be contacted by a representative of the Government of Alberta.
Website
Business Link is continuing to support entrepreneurs in Alberta by ensuring COVID-19 resources and information are up-to-date and available.
A list of resources for small businesses affected by COVID-19: Details
Additionally they have:
Tips for Small Businesses
Emergency Response Plan Template
Canadian Business Resilience Network (CBRN)
Okotoks and District Chamber of Commerce
Sign up for their mailing list: Here
Canadian Chambers of Commerce
The Canadian Chambers of Commerce Pandemic Preparedness guide
Business Link
Business Link is a nonprofit organization that helps people navigate the steps toward starting their own businesses. They provide one-on-one support and guidance, market research, access to experts, training, networking opportunities, and specialized support for Indigenous entrepreneurs.
Resources for Small Businesses Affected by COVID-19:
Local Support
Local support for Okotoks' businesses
Regional Relief Recovery Fund
Small- and medium-sized businesses can apply for loans of up to $40,000 with terms that include:
- No interest accrual or principal payments through December 31, 2022.
- If 75% of the loan is repaid by December 31, 2022, the remainder of the loan is forgiven.
- Blended principal and interest payments beginning January 1, 2023 and loans must be repaid by December 31, 2025.
- No prepayment penalties.
This website has a diversity of resources to help businesses understand the challenges and opportunities associated with running their business operations during the COVID-19 outbreak.
Website
Online list of local businesses and services. There are updates from businesses on products and services that are still available to residents:
GetintheLoop for Business makes local marketing easier. Attract and retain more customers with mobile offers, delivered directly to their phones.
Website
The Town has relaxed the requirements for parking temporary storage containers (PODs, C-Cans) on private driveways.
Businesses can now park these on their residential driveways has been extended
If you need to do this, please contact Planning Services at 403-995-2760 or by email
If you have a business with an approved, fenced yard and have room, please reach out to other businesses or contact Planning Services to let them know you would be willing to store a container.
Mental Health
Resources to support business owners
Tactics for Maintaining Mental Fitness During the COVID-19 Pandemic
Website
The Okotoks Entrepreneurial Ecosystem sponsored a series of FREE webinars for local entrepreneurs and businesses, along with anyone else who may need a little extra support during this time. Each topic will kick off on Thursdays with an educational webinar followed by a deeper dive training the following Tuesday on the same topic.
Topic Educational Webinar Deep-dive Training The Grief Response and Leading People through it Recorded webinar Recorded webinar Leadership through trauma and team- building tactics in crisis recorded video recorded webinar Communication skills in crisis Recorded Webinar Recorded Webinar Business resilience and supporting team mental health Recorded webinar Recorded Webinar Maintaining creativity and innovation in crisis Recorded webinar Recorded Webinar Tough conversations Recorded webinar Recorded Webinar Teaching team mental health and self-care strategies in crisis Recorded webinar June 2 The Alberta Government will be providing grant funding for projects that enhance community mental health and addiction recovery.
One time grant funding of up to $25 million will be available to organizations for eligible projects and services to enhance community mental health and addiction recovery.
Key points:
- Funding will be distributed through 3 calls for proposals from Alberta Health.
- Overall administration of the funding should not exceed 1%.
Important Dates:
- Third call for proposals – August 2020 to November 2020
Details
Agriculture
Support for those in the agriculture industry
To ensure producers, agribusinesses and food processors can remain focused on business-critical functions, FCC has put customer support programs in place.
Details
Free Training and Webinars
Recorded online training and seminars to support businesses with recovery and future success
Calgary Chamber Webinars
The Calgary Chamber has created the following webinars to support businesses. Each one is less than an hour long and these are and can be viewed anytime:
HR Resource webinar - a Business to Business conversation: Link
Workshare and Remote Working: Link
Leadership through a crisis: Link
Mental Health and Resiliency for your employees: Link
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Recorded Webinars - note a zoom account will be required to view webinars.
Business Finance and tax: Intermediate
Finance and tax topics can often seem like another language but understanding them is necessary to the success of your business. This workshop is appropriate for owners who have some experience with finance and tax and are interested to take the next steps in your business. Those who have completed our “Business Finance and Tax: Introduction” seminar may also be interested to continue with these intermediate topics.
Recorded Webinar
Introduction to e-commerce through Shopify
E-commerce isn't easy. How do you get your products online? How will you build an online brand? How are you going to drive traffic and sales? This workshop will teach you about selling online through Shopify and how the multichannel ecosystem works. It’s an opportunity to learn the basics of online brand strategy, as well as how to find the right customers through effective digital marketing. This workshop covers everything you need to know to get your first sale online!
Recorded Webinar
Managing Cash flow in a Crisis
Business Link presenter Mark Shields.
Recorded webinar
A guide to successful email marketing for small business
Understand the steps to plan an effective email marketing strategy, to build campaigns that engage your target audience via their inbox, and to ultimately grow your business. Pre-registration is required
Recorded webinar
Digital communications in the age of OVID-19 (webinar)
In the era of physical distancing, communicating with customers has taken on a whole new importance – and challenge. Customers we previously interacted with in-person have moved online, and now all communication must flow through digital channels.
Pre-registration required.Recorded webinar
Get your store online in changing times - recorded webinar
Saved Webinar
During this time of social distancing and store closures, it is crucial now more than ever to have an online presence to still engage with customers and continue to grow your business. This webinar focused on building the basics of your Shopify store! This workshop helped businesses start from the very beginning, from creating Shopify stores and Account Settings to setting up a Payment Provider (how to get paid!)
How to dominate the first page of Google without paying for ads
SAVED WEBINAR
Coronavirus (COVID-19): Managing the impact on global supply chains
This on-demand webinar is being offered by Economic Development Canada for participants to learn how the coronavirus is affecting global trade and how your company can be protected.
Remote working Tips and Tricks
If you missed the remote working teleconference hosted by Lethbridge Telconnect. You can still watch the recorded session. Recorded webinar link
Destination Canada
Destination Canada provides intelligence, tools and resources that help the Canadian tourism industry reach international markets. Check their web site for tools and resources, and coronavirus updates.
Website
Webinars
April 1 - watch the recorded conversation with the Honourable Mélanie Joly, Minister of Economic Development and Official Languages; Ben Cowan-Dewar, Chair of the Board, Destination Canada; and Charlotte Bell, President & CEO, Tourism Industry Association of Canada.
Recorded Webinar
Travel Alberta
Travel Alberta has been hosting a number of webinars to support businesses in the tourism industry:
Recorded webinars:
Communicating with your customers during a crisis
webinar