March 27, 2020
Hours of Operation: Monday to Friday; 8:30 am to 4:30 pm; closed 12:00 pm to 1:00 pm
Together We Can
The Stettler Regional Board of Trade & Community Development, in partnership with Stettler Regional Emergency Management Agency, will be collecting emergency information from businesses along with details on their current situation to help share resources and prepare for recovery.

We are asking all businesses to please fill out this vital form. 
The Stettler Regional Board of Trade is assisting at the Stettler Regional Emergency Management Emergency Operation Centre Monday- Friday 8:30am-4:30pm.

If you have questions you are invited to call the hotline at 403-742-7300
How long can you manage your operating/businesses expenses with reduced income due to COVID-19?
1 Year
6 Months
3 Months
1 Month
I can't meet expenses
Not Sure
BUSINESS RESOURCES
From the Stettler Regional Board of Trade
In Business For Business
Tune in daily at 10am for a Live Facebook presentation with the Stettler Regional Board of Trade and a special guest! Each professional will be taking 10 minutes to discuss their programs in regards to COVID-19 and take any questions.

Schedule:

Monday, March 30 - Stacey Benjamin, Executive Director, Stettler Regional Board of Trade & Community Development

Tuesday- March 31 - Rebecca Walline, Relationship Manager Business & Agriculture, ATB Financial

Wednesday- April 1 - Kate Gislason, Economic Development Officer, Community Futures East Parkland

Thursday- April 2 - Damien Kurek, MP, Battle River- Crowfoot

Friday- April 3 - Matthew Cornall, Technology Development Advisor, Entrepreneurial Investments, Alberta Innovates

Monday- April 6 - Nate Horner, MLA, Drumheller- Stettler
Globally, people and businesses are faced with having to understand how to deal with the ever-changing issues surrounding the novel coronavirus, or COVID-19. Managing the public health risk for infectious diseases is the responsibility of Alberta Health Services, but business owners need to be prepared for the potential impacts that COVID-19 could have on their operations.

The Stettler Board of Trade wants to assist our community with easy access to factual, up-to-date information so that your business can be prepared. We have created a private Facebook group that will share a collection of resources to help keep you up to date as well as develop your business continuity plans. We will continue to provide new resources as they become available.
From Medicine Hat College


The outbreak of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) presents new challenges in the workplace as employers strive to keep businesses running and support the health and well-being of their workforce. A business’s response to the COVID-19 crisis needs to address business operations and employee concerns. In addition, it must include safety considerations and steps that will stem the severity of the outbreak.

COVID-19: Action Plan for the Workplace course is designed to help employers and managers prepare and respond to exposure and illness caused by COVID-19. Organizational plans that take into account policies and procedures, human resources matters, and supply and production issues can help companies and employees prepare for the health pandemic. Being prepared, yet flexible enough to adapt to an ever-changing situation, supports an entire organization.

To help our valued customers respond to the COVID-19 crisis, we’re offering this course at no cost for a limited time through April 30, 2020.

From Next Generation Manufacturing Canada

Next Generation Manufacturing Canada (NGen) will invest $50 million in Supercluster funding to support companies as they rapidly respond to the COVID-19 pandemic by building a Canadian supply of essential equipment, products, and therapeutics. 
 
Projects will be selected for funding according to critical needs identified by the Government of Canada and the ability of manufacturers to produce products that are safe for both patients and health care workers. 
 
NGen will prioritize funding for projects that can have an immediate impact between April and the end of June 2020 and will fund eligible costs for projects within this timeframe up to 100% (depending on the level of knowledge and information sharing to help Canadians). 
 
Projects that will have an impact in the medium term – beyond the June 30 timeframe may also be considered for funding at 50%. 
 
Projects are not expected to exceed funding of more than $5m. 
 
We ask for your support to expand the reach of this program by leveraging your extensive networks. 
 
·       Companies looking for support in launching production of critical products to fight COVID-19 can indicate their interest at www.ngen.ca/covid-19-response .  
 
·       Experts who are able to assist are also encouraged to share their capabilities with us at www.ngen.ca/covid-19-response
 
Together, we can ensure that manufacturers can get their products to the front of the line in this crisis. 
From the Insurance Bureau of Canada

COVID-19 and business insurance: How coverage is triggered

These are uncertain and challenging times. With COVID-19 causing global concern, we understand many Canadians will have questions related to commercial insurance. IBC has produced a brief Q&A document outlining how coverage is triggered and how business interruption policies work.

From the Canadian Chamber of Commerce

COVID-19: The Top 5 Things Small Businesses Should Know

These are unprecedented times for all Canadians, and especially for small businesses. Our President and CEO, Perrin Beatty, is sharing with you the top 5 things SMEs should know amidst the COVID-19 pandemic.

From RSM Canada

Article: 5 things organizations can do to brace against coronavirus fallout
Use these emergency preparedness best practices to minimize the negative impacts to your business from the #coronavirus pandemic:

Article: How to handle supply chain bottlenecks in the face of coronavirus
As #COVID19 cases increase worldwide, companies have changed or in some cases halted parts of their operations to help slow the spread:

For more on RSM Canada's COVID-19 Resource Centre click here .
Business Continuity

If you are currently stuck at home this may be a good time to think about what your business will look like going forward.


Find a Business Continuity plan and template for entrepreneurs by the Business Development Bank of Canada  here .
GENERAL INFORMATION
Good News Segment!

Former Stettler Resident Peter Brockley is helping develop low-cost ventilator for COVID-19 patients with his doctor son, Graham, that could save lives.
Source: https://www.castlegarnews.com/news/west-kootenay-octogenarian-helping-develop-low-cost-ventilator-for-covid-19-patients/

News From the Government of Canada


Small and medium-sized businesses are the backbone of the Canadian economy. During this extraordinary time, the Government of Canada is taking strong action to help Canadian businesses as COVID-19 is affecting them, their employees and their families.







Interest Free Loans *more information coming soon

To support workers and help businesses keep their employees, the government has proposed legislation to establish the Canada Emergency Response Benefit (CERB). This taxable benefit would provide $2,000 a month for up to four months for workers who lose their income as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. The CERB would be a simpler and more accessible combination of the previously announced Emergency Care Benefit and Emergency Support Benefit.

The CERB would cover Canadians who have lost their job, are sick, quarantined, or taking care of someone who is sick with COVID-19, as well as working parents who must stay home without pay to care for children who are sick or at home because of school and daycare closures. The CERB would apply to wage earners, as well as contract workers and self-employed individuals who would not otherwise be eligible for Employment Insurance (EI).

Additionally, workers who are still employed, but are not receiving income because of disruptions to their work situation due to COVID-19, would also qualify for the CERB. This would help businesses keep their employees as they navigate these difficult times, while ensuring they preserve the ability to quickly resume operations as soon as it becomes possible.


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March 27, 2020 Prime Minister Justin Trudeau announced more help for small and medium-sized businesses to keep employees on the payroll during the COVID-19 crisis, including a 75 per cent wage subsidy and guaranteed interest-free loans. At this time we are still waiting on more information and will communicate it to our businesses as soon as possible.



News from the Government of Alberta


Measures to protect employers and employees from the economic disruption of COVID-19 and position Alberta for recovery.










Source:
Business to Business
If your business is in immediate need of an item or resource to continue operations please contact us at 403-742-3181 or email info@stettlerboardoftrade.com
If your business is offering a special or promotion to assist other local businesses we would love to help you get the word out.
Offer From Rairdan Services

1.) Submit Sales and Flyers.

Rairdan Services is offering 50% off this charge until further notice. It is just $5 to list your sale or list your flyer. They will be posted on the website, social media and the link goes out in Stettler Local's E-news. 


2.) Get a business listing

Rairdan Services is also offering this at 50% off right now. A detailed business listing offers:
  • help businesses with their SEO by having a website link on a high traffic site
  • gives them more visibility on a browser search
  • allows them to be in several categories at once
  • allows them to be found on StettlerLocal search
  • if they don't have a website it provides a way to get found online with their critical information
  • promotes them as a Stettler business 
  • helps them promote their social media links


3.) Classifieds


4.) Business updates