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Kristen Our Events Coordinator
Our current situation has definitely presented its own challenges with everyone at home and trying to organize all of the work schedules and Zoom meetings. In my home, our kitchen table becomes a shared work space. We’ve chosen to spend a portion of our time together each day while working on our own projects. Read her story
Laurie Ann's Fashion Boutique
The last few months have been challenging and I have to be honest it has been a bit of a struggle. Fashion is very seasonal so I’ve had to adjust and offer my stock at discounted prices in order to be able to pay suppliers. But I’m ready to welcome customers back into my store and even have some new summer fashions to show off! Read her story
Your Weekly Tune Up
Information For Business
Canada Emergency Rent Assistance Applications Now Open
The Canada Emergency Commercial Rent Assistance (CECRA) application is now open to provide forgivable loans to eligible commercial property owners, who in turn will give a rent reduction of at least 75 per cent for April and May (retroactive), and June, to their small business tenants. Property owners with up to 10 tenants can apply on Monday and those with over 10 tenants can apply on Thursday. Tenants and landlords can also fill out a survey to help gauge any challenges they may be experiencing while working together to develop a payment schedule, paying their rent, or meeting other financial obligations during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Regional Relief and Recovery Fund Now Open
The Regional Relief and Recovery Fund (RRRF) is a program to aid businesses that are not eligible for current COVID-19 funding. The Community Futures RRRF has a maximum of $40,000, is interest and payment free to Dec 31, 2022, and has a forgivable amount up to $10,000. To qualify, businesses need to have applied for and been declined under the federal CEBA program. An application portal is now open
Deadline for Income Tax Approaching
The deadline to submit provincial and federal personal income taxes is next Monday, June 1, with the payment deadline September 1 . CERB and CESB is considered taxable income. While that income will not be reported on this years taxes, be prepared for 2021.
Applications for Large Employer Support Program Now Open
The government    announced  the opening of the application process for the government’s Large Employer Emergency Financing Facility (LEEFF). The program will support Canada’s largest employers, whose needs during the pandemic are not being met through conventional financing. Additional information on the application process is available on the  CDEV website .
Canada Emergency Student Benefit Now Open
Students and recent graduates can now apply for the CESB program. The benefit provides $1,250 for each four-week period or $2,000 for each four-week period if you have dependants or a disability. If you have already applied, or are receiving support from the CERB or EI, you are not eligible to apply for the CESB.  Apply here.
Keep up with the latest
Driving Business Forward
We've got a big announcement about our 2020 Business Awards! Be sure to tune in to our Facebook Live @11am on Wednesday May 27 to hear more.
You can nominate a deserving business in under a minute here .
Advocacy in Action
Changes to Canada Emergency Business Account
The Federal government's expansion of CEBA addresses our concerns that eligibility for CEBA should not discriminate against different business structures, such as entrepreneurs receiving income directly from their firms and businesses that rely on contract employees and pay staff through dividends.
To qualify under the expanded eligibility criteria, applicants with payroll lower than $20,000 would need:
  • a business operating account at a participating financial institution
  • a Canada Revenue Agency business number, and to have filed a 2018 or 2019 tax return.
  • eligible non-deferrable expenses between $40,000 and $1.5 million. Eligible non-deferrable expenses could include costs such as rent, property taxes, utilities, and insurance.
Helpful Webinars
CPA Alberta: Adapting your Business Plan in a Crisis
May 28, 2020
Putting People First: How to Win During a Crisis
May 26, 2020
Community Partnership Offers Free Social Media Conference
An online social media conference is currently available at no cost to businesses and non-profits in our region, thanks to a partnership between APEX Southeast Alberta, Medicine Hat and District Chamber of Commerce, Community Futures Entre- Corp and Medicine Hat College (MHC). The Social Media Conference Webinar Series, presented by Jo(e) Media, runs until June 30, 2020 and teaches on a variety of topics related to best practices of utilizing social media platforms for marketing purposes. Read the press release
See our Pandemic Training Calendar for more
More Resources
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Sparking Conversation
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