November 5, 2020
Together We Can
BUSINESS RESOURCES
Taking Inventory of your Feedback
We have heard from some local businesses regarding inventory issues such as back orders, product unavailability, delays and so forth. We are looking to get a broader outlook so we can assess how we may be able to help and would appreciate you filling out the following survey.
Is your business having issues receiving inventory?
Stock is arriving on time
Some delays of certain items
Lots on back order
Many items unavailable due to supply shortages
Other - I will send a direct message
Remembrance Day
Lest We Forget
Please note that our office will be closed Wednesday, November 11 for Remembrance Day. Please see the letter from the Stettler Legion below in the Community section for information on their plans for this year.
Moonlight Madness
The local favourite, “Moonlight Madness” is scheduled to continue on the last Friday of November, November 27th, with the Main Street Tree light up scheduled for 6:00pm.

This year there will be a few changes including having Main Street closed to vehicle traffic as of 3:00pm on Friday, November 27. This will be advertised in a variety of ways including street signage posted the morning of to remind consumers they will need to move their vehicles. Please make sure your staff are aware of the closures and make alternate arrangements as well. With the closure of the street, area parking lots will be promoted and "Tractor Trains" will bring people back and forth from the lots to a variety of "Stations" along main street offering them less distance to walk with their purchases.

Having limited traffic in the street will allow consumers to line up safely outside businesses once maximum capacity is reached without crowding the sidewalk. It also offers the opportunity for businesses to move outside their store fronts and expand their promotions in a unique way. Burn barrels, sidewalk sales, and other opportunities are being encouraged and AHS guidelines must be upheld. Area food trucks, home based businesses and not for profit organizations are also invited to showcase their wares along Main Street. Businesses in other areas of town are also encouraged to include activities which will be promoted to all.

More information on Moonlight Madness plans will come as activities are finalized. If you would like to discuss an opportunity for your business to be outdoors on Main or sponsor a not for profit organization to promote on main street, call Donna asap as space is filling fast.
ALL OUTSIDE ACTIVITIES NEED TO BE PRE-APPROVED IN ORDER TO MAINTAIN SAFE SPACE FOR THE TRACTOR TRAINS.
** All activities in-store or out are the responsibility of the organizer and not the Stettler Regional Board of Trade. Organizers are encouraged to confirm all AHS guidelines and restrictions are being followed.
Think Local, Shop Stettler
The Christmas shopping season is upon us and we will soon be starting the Cash Card promotion. Registered participants, watch your inbox for an email coming soon with all the important details!

New, targeted supports announced to help hard-hit businesses and organizations experiencing a drop in revenue
Learn more about the new Canada Emergency Rent Subsidy and top-up, the Canada Emergency Wage Subsidy extension and an expanded Canada Emergency Business Account (CEBA)


“Canadian businesses and workers have shown tremendous resilience in adapting to the challenges posed by the global pandemic. With the country now in the second wave of this virus, our government knows businesses and workers need continued support. We were there to help businesses when the COVID-19 pandemic began, and we will continue to give them the support they need. As we get through this difficult situation, we will keep taking action to support our businesses, protect jobs, and keep Canadians safe and healthy.”
- The Hon. Chrystia Freeland, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Finance 

Studies have shown many benefits of offering employees learning and development opportunities such as:
  • Increased job satisfaction and morale among employees
  • Increased employee motivation
  • Increased efficiencies in processes, resulting in financial gain
  • Increased capacity to adopt new technologies and methods
  • Increased innovation in strategies and products
  • Reduced employee turnover
The list goes on and that is why your business may be interested in taking advantage of the Canada-Alberta Job Grant.
It is a training program where an employer applies on behalf of their present or future employee(s) for eligible training costs. Employers decide who gets training and what type of training may be needed for their employees.
Funding provided by the Government of Canada through the Workforce Development Agreement.  If hiring and training an unemployed Albertan, up to 100% of training costs could be covered, up to $15,000 per trainee. Interested in learning more about the grant? Click the link below:
We want to once again congratulate all our 2020 award winners and thank you for joining us for the Stettler Awards Gala. Due to the technical difficulties with the livestream that evening, we are working to compile the footage into a complete video. We will hopefully have the full video soon to share.
Important Updates and Information for Employers

In accordance with Bill 32, the Restoring Balance in Alberta’s Workplaces Act, new changes have come into effect as of November 1. Click the button below for a link to read of the updates for employers.
Looking to hire a student? CAREERS can help! 
The Next Generation connects employers with high school students for paid internships in skilled trades, information & communications technology, healthcare and more. We even pre-vet applicants to find the perfect fit, completely free of charge. 
Ann Garrett
Program Coordinator
18256 – 102 Ave. NW | Edmonton, AB T5S 1S7
P. 403-348-9025


Your Feedback Requested
Final day to be entered to win a gift basket!
Please take the below survey to help assess the overall view of Community Futures East Parkland.
Participants will be entered into the draw for a gift basket made up of items purchased from local businesses within our region. Only those who live or have a business within our region, and have completed the survey in full by November 5, 2020, are eligible.
Learning and Development Opportunities
3 Things You Can Learn from Your Customers
  • Date: Nov 17, 2020
  • Time: 10:30 am - 12:00 pm
  • Free Webinar

Explore three basic categories of information – demographic, behavioral and financial – that you collect from your customers right now, and learn how this information can be applied to help you make stronger and more informed business decisions.
You can use this information to improve your operations, increase the effectiveness of your advertising and strengthen your margins.
Presented by a Business Link Small Business Strategist
Introducing the Main Street Relaunch Program!
This program was designed to help small business owners relaunch their businesses with a focus on ecommerce and online marketing in the wake of COVID-19. The program goes beyond simply getting businesses online, it will help entrepreneurs create financial forecasts that allow them to recover from revenue loss, and transition their business model into one that relies less on foot traffic and face to face interaction.

8.5 hours of on demand video content, curated directly for small business owners. Topics include: Cash Flow Management, Business Operations, Marketing, PR and more.
Main Street Relaunch training sessions
8 live sessions touching on key topics that will help main street businesses relaunch. Registration for the second session is now open below:
Cash Flow Management Strategies - Dec 2 at 2:00p.m.
Access Prosperity and the Central Alberta Regional Innovation Network (CARIN) have developed a cohort-based incubator. This incubator will focus on three industries, an oil pivot, agriculture, and manufacturing. The aim of this incubator is to help early-stage entrepreneurs build and develop their startups through customer discovery, training on emerging technology, as well as support from industry experts, industry-specific programming, and access to coaching.
This incubator will include 50 hours of training over twelve weeks and is free to motivated entrepreneurs.
IBG Global AgTech Webinar
Thursday, November 19, 2020
1:00p.m. - 2:00p.m.
Free Online Event

This webinar will provide insights and opportunities into the AgTech market for four high priority regions.
About this Event
• Overview of the Ag market in:
  • Australia/New Zealand
  • Sub-Saharan Africa
  • Middle East/GCC (including UAE)
  • South America (Brazil/Peru/Argentina/Chile)
• Ag-Tech Developments that will recreate the industry
• How Ag-Tech is addressing climate change issues
• Specific Ag opportunities for Alberta exporters
• Future trends in Ag over the next five years
The presenters have each been operating in their regions for over 20 years and are well versed in what is happening in the Ag sector in each of their markets. 
Community
Business
Volunteer Opportunity
A Letter from Home Support Program Coordinator Terri Visser
Home Support is a Not-For-Profit organization that has been around for forty years. We provide services to the seniors, disabled, convalescent people of our community. Our services include Meals on Wheels, Housekeeping, Laundry, Caring Championship, and Hand and Foot Nail care.

On annual basis our volunteers deliver 3500 meals. Meals are delivered at 12:00pm by a volunteer Monday to Friday. For our other services. We have qualified aides come to clients home and help them with daily living activities. On average we have 70 clients per month in town and in the county.

We are looking for businesses like yours to volunteer to deliver meals at 11:45am to 1:00pm. One week of the year. (You can take additional weeks if your organization wishes). It requires two vehicles to deliver. Volunteers pick up meals at the Front Main Entrance at Points West Living and deliver the meals to recipients through out town and after return meal carriers back to Points West Living.

We also except donations. Donations go directly towards service rates, so everyone is able to afford our services.

We thank you for taking the time to read this letter, and would like to assure you that any time volunteering for us and any funds donated would be gratefully accepted.

Sincerely,

Terri Visser
Program Coordinator
Ph: 403-742-6568 Email: info@stettlerhomesupport.com
The Rotary Club of Stettler presents a Moonlight Scavenger Hunt
During Moonlight Madness (Friday Nov 27) the Rotary Club of Stettler is hosting a scavenger hunt where customers will need to find the Rotary flag in 5 different locations throughout. We are looking for businesses who would be interested in hosting a small flag in their store. Consumers will come and take a photo with it and bring the photo to us on Main Street between 6pm-9pm for a chance to win gift cards and Heart of Alberta Dollars to our local businesses. 

To host a flag and be part of the fun, sign up here!
Business to Business
All businesses big and small, Sneakers Plus is looking for donations for the Christmas Advent Calendars.They are looking for about 10 items valued between $5-$10. Cash donations are also welcome! All proceeds from the Christmas Calendars go to the Stettler Christmas Hamper! Stop by or contact Sneakers Plus for more information 403-742-0258.