December 17, 2020
Together We Can
BUSINESS RESOURCES
2020 Stettler Regional Board of Trade Executive
Stettler Regional Board of Trade
Annual General Meeting
Tuesday, February 9 at 12:00p.m. (Noon)

If you are interested in finding out more about what the Board of Trade does in the community or are interested in getting involved we invite you to join us for our annual general meeting. If you would like to attend please RSVP to s.benjamin@stettlerboardoftrade.com or call 403-742-3181. We ask that you please schedule for 1.5 hours as we anticipate a slightly longer than usual meeting.

Looking for other ways to get involved with the Stettler Regional Board of Trade and make a difference in our community? We have many sub-committees always looking for new members to bring fresh insights and ideas to the table.

Think Local, Shop Stettler
Awards Gala
Destination Stettler
Trade Show
Taste of the Heartland

Contact us today if you are interested in joining any of our committees and we can give you more details.
Why Stettler? Digital Media Project

We are excited to be working on a new project to promote moving to Stettler. With more people able to work from home and remotely and many others looking to relocate from larger centers, it is the perfect time to showcase the Town of Stettler as a great place to live.

We are working on a marketing campaign that will feature local families that moved to Stettler and why they chose it for their new home. We will showcase these families through videos, stories and photos on our website.
Earlier this month we launched an application on our website asking for people who had moved to Stettler to tell us their story. We are happy to have some wonderful applications all ready and if you or someone you know is interested in participating please click the following link:
Think Local, Shop Stettler Future Promotions

Don't miss out on this upcoming opportunity to promote and showcase your business!
Valentine's Day- February 14
Celebrate the day of love by showcasing the products and services you offer that are perfect for two! Whether it be an in store promotion such as a buy one get one, a meal kit to cook at home or a restaurant voucher for two, or the perfect gift idea for that special someone; let's show Stettler what you have locally this year! Want to "Share the Love" with another participating business? We are encouraging businesses to work together and make one of a kind gift packages helping consumers support more than one business with a single stop. Whatever you choose, let's "Share the Love" this Valentines Day!

*Gift Packages can be pre-ordered online through shopstettler.ca if advance notice is given to set up. Discuss your promotional options with Donna asap.
Canada Emergency Wage Subsidy (CEWS)

Justin Tanner from Gitzel and Co. and Vice President of the Stettler Regional Board of Trade shared his insights and advice on utilizing the the CEWS. Be sure to check out the video on our facebook page.
The last day to apply for claim periods 1 to 5 (March 15, 2020, to August 1, 2020) is February 1, 2021.

Applications for claim period 11 (December 20, 2020, to January 16, 2021) are now open.

As a Canadian employer who has seen a drop in revenue due to the COVID-19 pandemic, you may be eligible for a subsidy to cover part of your employee wages, retroactive to March 15, 2020. This subsidy will enable you to re-hire workers, help prevent further job losses, and ease your business back into normal operations.
BDC has finalized the details of the Highly Affected Sectors Credit Availability Program (HASCAP) Guarantee, an initiative designed to provide support to all businesses that have been highly impacted by the pandemic.
 
The Government of Canada has mandated BDC to provide a guarantee to participating financial institutions for 100% of the value of new loans to help businesses access additional liquidity and cover operating costs, as follows:
  •  loans ranging from $25,000 to $1 million to qualifying businesses;
  • low-interest loans and repayment terms of up to 10 years;
  • up to a 12-month postponement on principal repayments at the start of the loan.
 
Eligible companies must have been financially stable and viable prior to current economic situation and
have received payments either from the Canada Emergency Wage Subsidy (CEWS) Program or the Canada Emergency Rent Subsidy (CERS) Program by having demonstrated a minimum 50% revenue decline for at least three months (not necessarily consecutive) within the eight-month period prior to the date of a HASCAP Guarantee application.
 
Business owners need to contact their primary financial institution to access the program. Participating financial institutions will begin deploying the program next week.
 
Read the full press release by clicking button below:
Stabilizing Alberta’s performing arts, sports, rodeo sectors 
The Alberta Government announced that they will be investing $17 million to ensure the stabilization of performing arts, sports and rodeo organizations.
Non-profits that host rodeos, professional and elite amateur sports organizations, and non-profits that own and/or operate dedicated presenting and performing arts venues can apply for operational funding through the Stabilize Program to offset financial losses.
Applications are now open. Find out more about the Stabilize Program and how to apply by visiting the link below:
Chambers of Commerce call for a reduction in restrictions as Alberta's COVID-19 hospitalizations slowly decline
Excerpt from article:
"While there is government support available, for some businesses it’s not enough, Kobly said Sunday.
“People can’t pay their rent, they can’t pay their utilities. They don’t have enough money to pay their own personal mortgage on their house, on their own personal rent and they just don’t know where the money’s going to come from in order to keep going,” he said.
Kobly said he would like to see the government find ways to allow other businesses to open, at least partially, similar to what was done for personal services."

Read the full article published in the Edmonton Journal that features Ken Kobly, president and CEO of the Alberta Chambers of Commerce, discussing how current restrictions and time lines are affecting Alberta businesses.
Small and Medium Enterprise
 Relaunch Grant
Overview
The Small and Medium Enterprise Relaunch Grant offers financial assistance to Alberta businesses, cooperatives, and non-profit organizations that were ordered to close or curtail operations, and that experienced a revenue reduction of at least 30%, as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic.
The program offers 2 payments to eligible applicants, with up to $20,000 in available funding per eligible application.

For more details and how to apply click link below:
For government information and resources for businesses visit Alberta Biz Connect.
Tax Season Approaches
While it is something we'd like to put in the later pile, the CRA is advising to plan ahead this tax-filing season to avoid delays. You can visit their website for information and advice on preparing for the upcoming tax season.
Regional Relief and Recovery Fund (RRRF)
The Government of Canada and Community Futures organizations (CFs) understand the difficulties the COVID-19 pandemic has caused the small business community throughout the West. As a result, the Government of Canada has made funds available to the CFs to provide support and assistance to SMEs through the rural stream of the Regional Relief and Recovery Fund (RRRF).
Small business owners impacted as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic can apply for loans up to $40,000 through the Regional Relief and Recovery Fund (RRRF).
The Regional Relief and Recovery Fund provides funding to support businesses that have not been approved for supports through the Canada Emergency Business Account (CEBA) or the Emergency Loan Program delivered through Aboriginal Financial Institutions.

General Details:
• Maximum loan of $40,000;
• 0% interest until December 31, 2022;
• No principal payments until December 31, 2022;
• Principal repayments can be voluntarily made at any time without penalty;
• 25% up to a maximum of $10,000 in loan forgiveness is available, provided the outstanding balance is paid back by December 31, 2022;
• If any part of the balance is not paid by December 31, 2022, the remaining balance will be converted to a term loan effective January 1, 2023; and,
• The full balance must be repaid no later than December 31, 2025.
For more information or to apply visit:
Learning and Development Opportunities
Selling to the Government of Alberta
The Alberta Government is looking for you – and your goods and services!
With over 2000 purchasers, the Alberta Government buys everything from agricultural goods to professional services and everything in between. These opportunities are being posted daily for all sizes of business, even start-ups, so no business is too small. This webinar will teach you about the Alberta Government’s buying practices – who buys what, how they buy, and where to find these opportunities.

  • Date: Feb 04 2021
  • Time: 11:00 am - 12:00 pm

Presented by:
Please note:
This program is only open to Alberta entrepreneurs and small business owners and businesses operating in Alberta.
Scale up! How to use technology to boost your business’s efficiency   
In a free live webinar, BDC experts will show you how to implement tech solutions effectively by optimizing your processes and creating a digital company culture. BDC Chief Economist Pierre Cléroux will also give an economic update and talk about the importance of making the digital shift in your business.

For more details or to register click the link below:
Community
Today is Bell Let’s Talk Day!
COVID-19 has affected every aspect of our lives, including our mental health. According to the Canadian Mental Health Association, 38% of Canadians say their mental health has declined due to COVID-19, and people already struggling with their mental health were 2 times more likely to say their mental health has declined due to the pandemic.
 
Since 2010, Canadians and people around the globe have joined in the world’s largest conversation around mental health on Bell Let’s Talk Day. Together we have taken big steps to reduce the stigma around mental health issues and inspire one another to take action and help create a Canada where everyone can access the mental health support they need. In a recent survey conducted by Nielsen Consumer Insights, 83% of Canadians now say they are comfortable speaking with others about mental health, compared to only 42% in 2012. By joining in and taking action, we are all helping to make a real difference.
 
This year’s Bell Let’s Talk Day campaign shines a light on the actions that we can all take, because now more than ever, mental health matters. Whether you’re staying virtually connected with a family member, working directly with patients in recovery, investing in access to care or even just taking care of your own mental health, every Canadian can play a part in their communities, workplaces, schools and at home.
When it comes to mental health, now more than ever, every action counts.
 
On Bell Let’s Talk Day, Bell donates 5 cents to Canadian mental health programs for every applicable text, local or long distance call, tweet or TikTok video using #BellLetsTalk, every Facebook, Instagram, Pinterest, Snapchat, TikTok, Twitter and YouTube view of the Bell Let’s Talk Day video, and every use of the Bell Let’s Talk Facebook frame or Snapchat filter. All at no cost to participants beyond what they would normally pay their service provider for online or phone access.
You can also find resources, learn more about some of the organizations providing meaningful mental health supports and services throughout Canada and download the Bell Let’s Talk toolkit to begin your own conversation about mental health at home, school or in the workplace.
 
Please join us this Bell Let’s Talk Day by showing your support for all those who live with mental illness and those taking action to help them.
Join the 2021 Census Team!
The census paints a portrait of Canada's population and the places where we live. Information from the census will ensure that your community has the data it needs for planning schools, daycare, housing, hospitals, emergency services, roads, public transportation, and employment skills training.
To assist in the collection of census data, Statistics Canada is hiring approximately 32,000 people across the country (about 5,000 in Alberta). Crew Leaders will be hired to train, lead and supervise a team of Enumerators, while Enumerators will be hired to complete census questionnaires with residents. The rates of pay range from $17.83 to $21.77 an hour, plus authorized expenses.
In response to COVID-19, collection procedures for the 2021 Census have been redesigned to ensure respondents and census employees are safe by limiting the amount of contact needed to participate in this important exercise. In the case of in-person visits, census employees will be required to wear personal safety equipment (provided by Statistics Canada) as well as maintain proper physical distancing, in accordance with guidelines from public health authorities.

For more information or to apply click the link below:
Don't forget about the Stettler Farmer's Market. Winter schedule below, markets are running by-weekly on Tuesdays from 3:00p.m. to 6:00p.m.
Business to Business
Become an ATB Marketplace Vendor Today!
"Find and sell to local buyers. Grow your business. Give yourself and the economy a boost.
The ATB Marketplace is open to all Albertan business owners looking to sell products and services online. The platform is a great fit if you want to:
Sell your merchandise in an online store.
Get more eyes on your product.
Leverage ATB’s network to increase your brand awareness.
Contribute to a community of like-minded entrepreneurs."
Ready to grow? Register for ATB X

ATB X is the place to grow your business—because no one succeeds alone. 
We created ATB X to offer programs that address the needs of all kinds of Albertan businesses—from startups, to solopreneurs, to growth stage businesses. ATB X is a customized, growth-focused experience delivered by businesses, for businesses, through experts, connections, and community.