Expansion of MHBIG, New Residential Incentive Program, Mandatory Masks for Schools and so much more!

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#YXH2gether

Irrigation Round Table

We had a great time fuelling our business community at the Irrigation Round Table on Friday. Thank you Minister Dreeshen and MLA Glasgo for the opportunity to share our perspectives on irrigation and talk about future opportunities within agriculture and irrigation in our region.

Your Weekly Tune Up

Expansion of the BIG Grant

The City of Medicine Hat is proud to announce that the Business Innovation Grant (MHBIG) will now include up to $1,500 for registered ShopHERE powered by Google businesses for the use of a local professional photographer and a local marketing specialist to elevate their e-commerce experience.

If your business needs an e-commerce website, let us help you build a Shopify site for free. Get started and register your business here.

NEW Residential Infill Incentive Program

Invest Medicine Hat announced the Residential Infill Incentive Program designed to incentivize development and reconstruction of Infill properties. The Program will benefit established neighborhoods and provide economic stimulus to grow the property assessment base of the City as part of the City’s COVID-19 response.

The Residential Infill Incentive Program is comprised of five separate grants:

Land Use Bylaw Amendment Application Fee Grant
New Construction Residential Densification and Renewal Grant
Hazardous Materials Survey and Abatement Grant
Professional Design Services Grant
Eligible Utility Infrastructure Upgrades Grant

Owners of an infill property may be eligible for up to a combined maximum of $25,000 for each single civic address but total funding is limited to the first $250,000. Apply before December 31, 2020.

Commercial Rent Relief Extended Until August

The Government of Canada announced that the CECRA program is being extended by one month to cover August rents. All provinces and territories are continuing to participate in the program. Find more information and access CECRA.

School Measures Now Include Mandatory Masks

Mask use for Grade 4 to 12 students, and all school staff, will be mandatory when school returns for the 2020-21 year. While mandatory mask use is for students in Grades 4 to 12 and all staff, all students and staff in public, separate, Francophone, charter and independent schools will receive two reusable masks from Alberta’s government. Mask use for kindergarten to Grade 3 students will continue to be optional. Read Alberta's return to school plan

Quick Check Up

Local PPE Supplies

To Manage COVID-19

Workplace Guidelines

Weekly Update July 31- August 6

New OHS Guidelines

Hand Sanitizer Recall

COVID-19 Alert App

How Do You Create Sales When Customers are Not in the Store?

COVID-19 or "the Covid" (reference Newman from Seinfeld), as I am now referring to it, has wreaked havoc on our independent business owners. First, they had to close their businesses (unless they were an essential service). Then when they could open, it was under a very strict set of guidelines established by the Government of Alberta. There were hazard assessments to complete, sanitation stations required at the entry point of every store, physical distancing constraints, barriers between staff and customers, new stricter cleaning systems to follow, and rules on how many people could be in the store at a time. Read more

Advocacy in Action

Health Canada's Economic Relief For The Cannabis Industry Falls Well Short, Says The Canadian Chamber

The Canadian Chamber of Commerce’s National Cannabis Working Group issued a statement in response to the Order Amending the Cannabis Fees Order.

Canadian Chamber Responds To New U.S. Tariffs On Canadian Aluminum

Lasts week President Trump announced a 10% tariff on raw aluminum imports from Canada. We have urged immediate action to have the tariffs removed. Read the Canadian Chamber’s Statement

We’ve teamed up with community partners to create the #LocalFirstYXH campaign. If you are a business that would like to take part in the #LocalFirstYXH campaign, you can find the social media toolkit with messaging and graphics already created below: