Table of Contents
Our new format for Tuesday's e-Blasts will start with a table of contents so that you can easily see what will be outlined and so that you can scroll to the parts that interest you the most.
  1. Emerging Advocacy Issue - Edmonton International Airport
  2. Special General Meeting - Proposed Bylaw Changes
  3. Business Awards of Distinction
  4. 50% Off Digital Sign Advertising
  5. Indigenous Business Connections Event - This Friday, June 18
  6. A Conversation with Hon. Rick Wilson
  7. Women in Business Summit
  8. Grant, Subsidy & Loan Updates
  • Black Entrepreneurship Loan Fund
  • Canada Emergency Wage Subsidy (CEWS)
  • Alberta Jobs Now Program
  • Stabilizing Program - Phase 2
  • Amplifying live music funding in Alberta
  • Boost by Jobber - Rewarding Great Work in Home Service Grant 
  • Highly Affected Sectors Credit Availability Program (HASCAP) Guarantee
  • Small and Medium Enterprise Relaunch Grant
  • CEBA application deadline extended to June 30
1) Emerging Advocacy Issue - Edmonton International Airport
A call yesterday morning with all GERCC (Greater Edmonton Regional Chambers of Commerce) Members outlined Edmonton Global and EMRBs involvement with Edmonton International Airport (EIA).

We understand that the teams from Edmonton Global and EIA have also been aggressively lobbying both the Governments of Alberta and Canada in order to receive funding to assist regional airports in attracting flights. In February, EIA received a grant from the Government of Canada totaling $18M to support a $36M expansion of its cargo operations. We know that international status attracts potential economic investment and the ability to move goods, services, and people efficiently around the globe is vital for the ongoing economic prosperity of Edmonton and beyond. One of the most strategic moves we can make is to secure air service for our communities, our businesses, and our citizens. 

As a Chamber in the metro region we have been asked to capture anecdotal comments from our members, specifically those that will be ultimately affected, and have created a 3 question survey to send to our membership.
2) Special General Meeting - Proposed Bylaw Changes
**Notice of Proposed Bylaw Changes**
June 8, 2021

In accordance with the Greater Parkland Regional Chamber of Commerce Bylaws, the Board of Directors propose to make changes to the Bylaws at the Special General Meeting on Tuesday, June 22nd, 2021 at 8:00am via Zoom.

The meeting is open to all members in good standing of the Greater Parkland Regional Chamber of Commerce.

Following our recent submission to Corporations Canada, we have been advised that our submission has been returned with a deficiency. This deficiency needs to be presented and approved by our membership in order to meet approval.
3) Business Awards of Distinction
October 21, 2021
Spruce Grove Hall, Heritage Park

The Chamber of Commerce Business Awards of Distinction is a celebration of our business community. Over the years, we have recognized the high standards our entrepreneurs bring to business and our awards evening acknowledges local excellence along with Chambers across Canada during Small Business Week.
Nominations are OPEN - submit a nomination today!
4) 50% Off Digital Sign Advertising
You may have heard that we have a new Gold Sponsor, Community Futures Capital Region. They have teamed up with the GPRC to offer 50% off of digital sign advertising. The Stony Plain sign is already 50% off with our recovery and resiliency discount, and Community Futures Capital Region is taking it further by offering another 50% off. That makes the Stony Plain digital sign 75% off!! The generosity of Community Futures is extended to the Wabamun sign as well, so you can capture the attention of all of the traffic visiting the hamlet this summer! Check out our marketing opportunities for more information, or email: kwambold@gprchamber.ca if you are interested.
5) Indigenous Business Connections Event - This Friday, June 18
Join us on Friday, June 18, as we host our first Indigenous Business Connections event! This is a professional development opportunity that will include presentations on building relationships, business etiquette, and cultural demonstrations.

We welcome keynote speaker Mackenzie Brown, Project Manager at Indigenous Tourism Alberta, who will share her expertise on 'Creating Effective Partnerships, Creating Reciprocal Relationships, Protocol and Misconceptions'. There will also be a round table panel featuring local Indigenous business owners discussing stereotypes, challenges, and triumphs of business ownership in the Region.

Please confirm your attendance by Wednesday, June 16 at 4:00PM MST. This event will be hosted virtually, and a unique link will be emailed to all registrants.
6) A Conversation with Hon. Rick Wilson
June 21 | 2:30 PM - 3:30 PM
Minister Wilson will discuss the importance of engaging with First Nations and Métis communities while also noting how the Government of Alberta is working to ensure the Indigenous workforce is an integral part of Alberta's economic recovery. 

Following his formal presentation, guests will have an opportunity to submit questions to Minister Wilson for a dedicated Q&A period.

Please confirm your attendance by Friday, June 18, at 4:00 PM. 
7) Women in Business Summit
June 23, 2021
From stories of resilience to conversations about upskilling and reskilling, diversity and mental health, the Women in Business Summit will focus on the ways the Canadian Chamber of Commerce network, businesses, female entrepreneurs and community leaders can work together to support women in the workforce through the pandemic and towards an inclusive recovery.
8) Grant, Subsidy & Loan Updates
Black Entrepreneurship Loan Fund
The Black Entrepreneurship Loan Fund is a partnership between the Government of Canada, Black-led business organizations, and several financial institutions. It will provide loans up to $250,000 to Black business owners and entrepreneurs across the country.

The Government of Canada has announced that the Loan Fund is accepting loan applications from Black business owners and entrepreneurs through the Federation of African Canadian Economics (FACE).
Canada Emergency Wage Subsidy (CEWS)
As a Canadian employer who has seen a drop in revenue during the COVID-19 pandemic, you may be eligible for a subsidy to cover part of your employee wages.

The Canadian Emergency Wage Subsidy will enable you to re-hire workers, help prevent further job losses, and ease your business back into normal operations.

Pay period ends June 17.
Alberta Jobs Now Program
The Alberta Jobs Now program will provide up to $370 million to help private and non-profit businesses with job supports to get thousands of Albertans back to work.
Employers can apply for funding to offset the cost of hiring and training unemployed or underemployed Albertans in new or vacant positions.

This federal-provincial investment is the largest job training program in Alberta’s history. It will support our province’s recovery, help businesses re-open or grow their workforce, and give Albertans an opportunity to gain the skills they need in today’s job market.

First intake open: May 20 to August 31, 2021
Second intake: September 15 to December 31, 2021 

Stabilizing Program - Phase 2
The Stabilize Program – Phase 2 is rolling out more one-time grants to further help Alberta’s live experience sector to adapt and develop creative solutions for resuming live events.
To adapt, innovate and prepare for the province’s relaunch, the Stabilize Program – Phase 2 starts with the Stabilize Live Music Grant to support:
  • Alberta’s musicians
  • live music professionals
  • for-profit live music venues
Boost by Jobber - Rewarding Great Work in Home Service Grant
You’re out there every day doing great things for your community, and Boost by Jobber wants to support and spotlight your work through their $100,000 grant program built to help launch, grow, and strengthen small home services businesses.

"Almost entrepreneurs", new business owners, and experienced owners, are invited to apply for one of 20 grants ranging from $1,000 to $20,000 based on which category your business qualifies for.

Deadline to apply is June 23. This is open to home service businesses.
Highly Affected Sectors Credit Availability Program (HASCAP) Guarantee
Businesses heavily impacted by COVID-19 can access guaranteed, low-interest loans of $25,000 to $1 million to cover operational cash flow needs. These loans are for small and medium-sized businesses that have seen their revenues decrease by 50% or more as a result of COVID-19.

The HASCAP Guarantee is available until June 30, 2021.

HASCAP Quick Facts:
  • If your business has financing already, you need to apply through that financial institution. If not, you have no lending, then you are free to go to any bank.
  •  Term Loan
  •  4% fixed interest rate
  •  Amortization up to 10 years (can be shorter if preferred)
  •  Up to 12 months interest only payments 
  •  Prepayment penalties in effect (calculated by Interest Rate Differential or 3-months' Interest, whichever is greater)
Please note that these funds are NOT to be used to pay any of the following:
  • Dividends
  • Distributions
  • Management Fees
  • Bonuses 
  • Payout of current existing debt
They are to be used for financing day-to-day operating costs and support cash flow within the business. 
Please review this document for more details:
To start the application process, you will need to fill out this online form at BDC and receive your unique code:
Along with the code, you will need the following for your financial institution:
  1. Year-End Financial Statements Prior to March 1, 2020
  2. Amount of loan you are requesting

AND
3 months’ of attestations from the CEWS or CERS program showing a 50% loss in revenue within the past 8 month period. The months do not need to be consecutive
OR
Documentation showing that you have had a loss of 50% revenue or more for 3 months within the past 8 month period when compared to the previous year. The months do not need to be consecutive
i.e.: January 2020 = $35,000 January 2021 = $16,000, loss of 54.3% 
Small and Medium Enterprise Relaunch Grant
The Small and Medium Enterprise Relaunch Grant offers financial assistance to Alberta organizations (businesses, cooperatives and non-profits) 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 Spring 2021 payment is calculated as 15% of the eligible organization's revenue from the chosen month to a maximum of $10,000.

April 12, 2021: the Government of Alberta announced that it is offering small- and medium sized businesses, cooperatives, and non-profits affected by the April 2021 public health orders the opportunity to apply for a new payment of up to $10,000 from the Small and Medium Enterprise Relaunch Grant Program.

Application intake for Spring 2021 extended to June 30.
CEBA Application Deadline is Extended
Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Finance, the Honourable Chrystia Freeland, and the Minister of Small Business, Export Promotion and International Trade, the Honourable Mary Ng, announced that the deadline for new Canada Emergency Business Account (CEBA) applications is being extended from March 31 to June 30, 2021.
We're always keeping the GPRC website current with information about new and updated grants and subsidies. Check it out!
THANK YOU TO OUR PLATINUM SPONSOR
THANK YOU TO OUR GOLD SPONSOR
This e-Blast is from: Greater Parkland Regional Chamber of Commerce

Name: Elizabeth Olsen
Title: Office Administrator
Company: GPRC