September 8, 2020

The City of Spruce Grove ECONOMIC & BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT NEWS Keeping you informed!

Our Economic & Business Development Department's newsletter keeps you informed about new development, new business, and other interesting happenings in our City. We will continue to provide updates on COVID-19 and business recovery resources.  Stay in the 'know' - Sign-up below!

We make every effort to ensure the information on our COVID-19 Resource Page is current and relevant.

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.

➡ Changes to the Canada Emergency Response Benefit (CERB) - CERB will be extended by four weeks to October 3. Eligible individuals enrolled in this program will transition to Employment Insurance (EI). ➡ NEW: Canada Recovery Benefit (CRB) - As of September 27, individuals that are self-employed or not eligible for EI will be able to apply for income support through the CRB program. More details to follow. ➡ NEW: Innovation Employment Grant - The Government of Alberta is launching this grant in January 2021, whereby companies can receive up to 20% towards qualifying research and development expenditures. More details when legislation is introduced in the fall of 2020. ➡ NEW: Canada United Small Business Relief Fund - A $5,000 grant to help small Canadian businesses purchase Personal Protective Equipment (PPE), renovate physical space for adhering to reopening guidelines, and improve e-commerce capabilities. ➡ NEW: Community Recovery Grant - The City of Spruce Grove is offering a one-time grant of up to $40,000 for non-profit organizations that deliver locally-driven preventative social services and programs to support COVID-19 recovery. ➡EXTENDED: Canada Emergency Business Account (CEBA) - Canada has extended the CEBA application program deadline from August 31 to October 31, 2020 for businesses and non-profits impacted by COVID-19 to access interest-free loans of up to $40,000. ➡ EXTENDED: Canada Emergency Commercial Rent Assistance (CECRA) - CMHC has extended this program 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. ➡ EXTENDED: Canada Emergency Wage Subsidy (CEWS) - The Government of Canada has extended this program to November 21, 2020 and has opened applications for Periods 6 of the new enhanced CEWS program.

OTHER NEWS ➡ 2020-21 Alberta Government Fiscal Update - Alberta has released its 2020-21 First Quarter Fiscal Update and Economic Statement. The province has projected a deficit of $24.2 billion and Real Gross Domestic Product (GDP) is forecasted to decline by 8.8%, the largest annual decline in modern day history. ➡ EDAC - On August 17, 2020, City Council passed a bylaw establishing a revamped Economic Development and Advisory Committee (EDAC). The Committee provides recommendations and advice to City Council on economic and business development issues affecting the larger community. For more information, please visit the EDAC page on our website. ➡ COVID-19 Accelerates Shift to E-Commerce -

Source: Statistics Canada

NEW DEVELOPMENT New developments in Spruce Grove will be featured in each newsletter. This edition features Cross Country Infrastructure Services Inc.

CROSS COUNTRY INFRASTRUCTURE SERVICES INC.

Cross Country Infrastructure Services Inc. (CCIS) has moved to their new facility!  Located at 361 Saskatchewan Avenue, this $10 million development includes a 4,400 SF office, a 15,000 SF warehouse, and a 14,300 SF maintenance/wash bay all situated on an 11.6 AC lot. CCIS is a full industrial supply business that provides heavy equipment and specialized equipment rentals. The Spruce Grove location is the head office in Canada and employs 35 people. The company began as Sideline Specialty Equipment Canada in 2014, with one employee in a garage. It quickly gained traction and was purchased in 2015 by Cross Country Infrastructure, a US company with over 45 years in business. "We are excited to see the beginning of Canada's two large pipeline projects, the Coastal gas project extending to the LNG facility in Kitamat, BC as well as the Trans Mountain expansion" says Mark Jansen, Manager of the Spruce Grove Branch.

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 REGIONAL BUSINESS IMPACT AND RECOVERY SURVEY The Business Impact & Recovery Survey has launched! The results will provide insight on how our region's business community has been dealing with the impacts of COVID-19 and their path to recovery. Click here to take the survey.

To learn more about economic and business development in Spruce Grove, visit our website at InvestSpruceGrove.ca. 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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