August 18, 2020
COVID-19
BUSINESS SUPPORTS AND RESOURCES
The City of Spruce Grove cares about you and your business. The City's Economic & Business Development Department continues to keep you informed about ongoing developments of the COVID-19 pandemic. Although the City of Spruce Grove is operating a little differently, we remain committed to providing our businesses and residents the best service possible.
We make every effort to continuously update the COVID-19 Resource Page on our Economic & Business Development website to ensure that information and access to resources are kept current.
ALBERTA'S RELAUNCH STRATEGY: STAGE 2 - CHANGES TO COVID-19 SUPPORT PROGRAMS

The Government of Alberta's "Opening Soon - Alberta's Relaunch Strategy" reflects which businesses re-opened during Stage 2 and what public health measures must be followed. Alberta Biz Connect offers relaunch workplace guidance to help businesses reopen and operate safely.
➡ ALBERTA SMALL AND MEDIUM ENTERPRISE RELAUNCH GRANT - Under this program, small and medium-sized businesses, co-ops and non-profits can apply for funding of up to $5,000 to help open doors and have employees return back to work. These funds help businesses purchase non-medical Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) and other supplies, and pay wages and rent. Applications remain open until August 30th.

➡ Changes to the Canada Emergency Commercial Rent Assistance (CECRA) - This program has been extended to August 31 to help eligible businesses pay rent. Both existing and new applicants can apply. Only commercial property owners are able to submit an application.

➡ Changes to the Canada Emergency Response Benefit (CERB) - This program has been extended from 16 to 24 weeks to October 3, 2020. At that time, the program will transition to Employment Insurance (EI). The purpose of this transition is to cover every Canadian who is looking for work. Contract workers that do not qualify for EI will be able to apply for a new "parallel benefit".
OTHER NEWS

➡ Canada Revenue Agency opens Applications for Enhanced Canada Emergency Wage Subsidy (CEWS) – The Government of Canada announced that the Canada Revenue Agency has opened applications for Period 5, which is the first period of the enhanced CEWS program. This period will includes an extension of the CEWS, including redesigned program details, until November 21, 2020. There will be increased eligibility for employers that have experienced a revenue drop, as they can now qualify for a base subsidy. Employers that have been hard-hit can now qualify for a top-up of up to 25% and the enhanced program will provide certainty for employers that have already made business decisions for July and August, by ensuring that they will not receive a subsidy rate lower than they would have under the previous rules. 

➡ Invest Alberta Corporation - The Government of Alberta has appointed seven board members to lead the Invest Alberta Corporation (IAC). The mandate of the IAC is to engage the world and provide high-end tailored support to investors and major new investment projects. R. Scott Hutcheson, the Chair of the IAC, will work together with the board members to attract job-creating private sector investment, instill investor confidence, and promote Alberta as a prime investment location for businesses across Canada and around the world. They will also aim to drive high-impact investment in key sectors such as energy, agriculture and tourism, as well as high-growth industries such as technology, aviation and aerospace, and financial services.

➡ Municipal Stimulus Program – The Government of Alberta has announced a stimulus program worth $1.1 billion to help municipalities build core infrastructure as part of the Alberta Recovery Plan. Municipalities may apply for funding to build roads, bridges, water and wastewater treatment plants, and other important infrastructure that would not have been built in 2020 or 2021 without the stimulus.

➡ The Canada Revenue Agency Announces an Extension to the Payment Deadline and Offers Interest Relief on Outstanding Tax Debts during the COVID-19 Pandemic - The Canada Revenue Agency is extending the payment due date for current year individual, corporate, and trust income tax returns, including installment payments, from September 1, 2020 to September 30, 2020. Penalties and interest will not be charged if payments are made, which includes the late-filing penalty, as long as the return is filed by September 30, 2020.
NEW DEVELOPMENT
A new neighborhood Retail and Service Centre is under construction on the east side of Spruce Grove at 280 Pioneer Road! The Pioneer Place Shopping Centre is expected to open late in 2020. This includes a 4,000 sq ft convenience store and gas bar, and two commercial retail buildings of up to 9,600 sq ft each.
UNDER CONSTRUCTION
UPON COMPLETION
To receive updates on new developments, subscribe to our newsletter here.
SPRUCE GROVE'S TEMPORARY BUSINESS SIGNAGE CRITERIA
The City of Spruce Grove will allow select temporary signage on City boulevards and business premises until August 30th, 2020.
SPRUCE GROVE'S SUPPORT LOCAL CAMPAIGN
The City of Spruce Grove has officially launched our Support Local campaign to encourage residents to shop local and to support businesses. Look for these messages on the Highway 16A digital billboards.
CHAMBER OPEN FOR BUSINESS DIRECTORY
The Greater Parkland Regional Chamber of Commerce has partnered with GetintheLoop to showcase businesses within the region that continue to operate and serve their customers.

To learn more about this program, please contact the Greater Parkland Chamber at sparry@gprchamber.ca or contact Myles Ethier from GetintheLoop at myles.ethier@getintheloop.ca.
We will continue to frequently update our Economic & Business Development website at InvestSpruceGrove.ca as more information becomes available. If you have any questions, please e-mail a team member at Invest@SpruceGrove.org.

Thank you for your engagement.
Together, we all play an important role in keeping our business community healthy and safe.

From our team to yours,
Dave, Karla, Jamie-Lynn, & Anika
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