New Year, New Business Licenses
With the new year here, you will be receiving your new Town of Stettler business license. With your license you are automatically a member of the Stettler Regional Board of Trade. Be sure to check out the perks and benefits of your membership on our website. If you have questions or would like to inquire about becoming a member please contact us at 403-742-3181!
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Think Local, Shop Stettler Future Promotions
Don't miss out on these upcoming opportunities to promote and showcase your business!
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Fun at Work Day- January 29
We are looking for businesses to showcase their staff having fun at work and we will create a video montage to be shared on Facebook. Ideas of fun at work activities include: dancing while mopping or sweeping, being silly while stacking shelves (one puts on, another takes off), telling a joke to our viewers, etc. Use your imagination and be creative! Videos need to be submitted in mp4 format (perfect to record on your phone) and in a horizontal frame. Videos should be no more than 20 seconds in length.
Deadline for submissions- January 26, 2021
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.
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Record Year for Heart of Alberta Dollars! |
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We are pleased to announce it was a phenomenal year for Heart of Alberta Dollar sales. This is further proof of the renewed commitment people have for supporting local. Saturday, January 16 is National Use Your Gift Card Day, knowing many of these dollars were purchased as Christmas gifts, we invite our businesses to join us in promoting the day! Let your customers know you accept Heart of Alberta Dollars and invite them to come find themselves the perfect gift!
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Application deadline for the Canada Summer Jobs (CSJ) 2021 grant is January 29, 2021! Get your applications in early to avoid disappointment. |
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The Canada Summer Jobs 2021 program provides wage subsidies to employers from:
· not-for-profit organizations
· the public sector, and
· private sector organizations with 50 or fewer full-time employees, to create quality summer work experiences for young people aged 15 to 30 years. Funded employers are not restricted to hiring students — all youth aged 15 to 30 years may be eligible participants.
To respond to the needs of employers and youth in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic, a number of temporary flexibilities are in place for CSJ 2021.
For full details on the program and how to apply, click link below:
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You are eligible for the Chamber Plan with your BOT Membership!
Have you heard about the Chamber Plan? It's an option that offers Group Health Insurance Plans exclusive to Chamber Members.
Here are some of the perks:
- Access to Canada's largest plan targeted to small-to-medium business.
- Your firm's rates will remain stable regardless of claims history. Your business is unique, so your business needs unique coverage.
Comprehensive
- Chambers Plan offers traditional coverage such as life, health, dental and disability, critical illness and so much more. Included at no cost is the Best Doctors® program, the Teladoc® telemedicine program and a Business Assistance Program.
There are so many more benefits available, all you have to do is request your quote!
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Does your business accept Heart of Alberta dollars?
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Not yet, but would like to more information
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Small and Medium Enterprise
Relaunch Grant
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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:
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For government information and resources for businesses visit Alberta Biz Connect. |
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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. |
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Canada Emergency Wage Subsidy (CEWS)
The CEWS has been extended to June 2021, including changes to the rates and top-up calculation.
Changes to CEWS as of November 19, 2020 (Bill C-9):
- the subsidy is extended to June 2021
- the maximum subsidy rate for periods 8 to 10 will remain at 65% (40% base rate + 25% top-up)
- beginning in period 8, the top-up rate and base rate are is now calculated using the same one-month revenue drop
- for periods 8 to 10, use the new top-up calculation or the previous 3-month average drop, whichever works in your favour
- the deadline to apply is January 31, 2021, or 180 days after the end of the claim period, whichever comes later
- starting in period 9, the calculation for employees on leave with pay now aligns better with EI benefits
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you can now calculate pre-crisis pay (baseline remuneration) for employees who were on certain kinds of leave, retroactive to period 5
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the Canada Emergency Rent Subsidy (CERS) has been introduced for businesses, non-profits, and charities
The new Lockdown Support would be available retroactive to September 27, 2020, until June 2021, during periods when businesses are facing eligible public health restrictions. The government is providing the proposed details for the first 12 weeks of the program, until December 19, 2020. The proposed program would align with many aspects of the Canada Emergency Wage Subsidy to provide a simple, easy-to-understand program directly to renters and property owners.
This backgrounder provides information for organizations that have been significantly affected by public health restrictions and may be eligible for additional support for certain rent or property expenses. If your organization is not subject to qualifying public health lockdown restrictions, but you are currently experiencing a decline in revenues, you may still be eligible for the Canada Emergency Rent Subsidy.
Read more about CERS by clicking the below link.
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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:
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Learning and Development Opportunities |
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How To Plan and Launch a New Website
In this webinar, presenters will walk you through what you will need to consider, create and resource in order to build a professional online presence that expresses who you are and supports your business success.
- Early Stage Planning
- Nailing the Foundations
- Doing the Work: Writing, Design, Website Development
- Pre-Launch Considerations
- Date: Jan 21 2021
- Time: 11:00 am - 12:00 pm
Presenters:
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Please note:
This program is only open to Alberta entrepreneurs and small business owners and businesses operating in Alberta.
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Turn your expertise into a business—the first four steps |
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If you’re thinking of turning your expertise into a business or you’re struggling to get off the ground, there are four steps that will help you decide what you can do and get you there faster.
Neville Chamberlain, the creator of the Tornado Method, will walk you through the first four milestones you have to reach to build a business based on your expertise. You will learn why it is so important to niche down and get super clear on what problem you’re solving, how recurring revenue can help you sell less and earn more, what a minimalist brand is, and the importance of designing a great customer journey.
This webinar is specifically for people who are thinking of starting a business based on their expertise, or have started and are struggling to get off the ground.
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During this 14- week program receive instructional lessons, workbooks, and templates for how to draft your written Exit Plan. Gain clarity on the journey toward a sale and learn how to prepare yourself and your business to be
operated by your successor.
Exit Planning Masterclass Series Dates:
Jan 14th- 9:30am – 11:30am – Session 1
Jan 28th- 9:30am – 11:30am – Session 1- Q&A
Feb 11th - 9:30am – 11:30am – Session 2
Feb 25th- 9:30am – 11:30am – Session 2- Q&A
March 18th –9:30am - 11:30am – Session 3
April 1st –9:30am - 11:30am – Session 3- Q&A
April 15th –9:30am - 11:30am – Session 4th
*All attendees need to register prior to the close date of January 28th
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Find out more about other upcoming webinars as well as tools and information for your business by visiting: |
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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.
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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. |
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Become an ATB Marketplace Vendor Today! |
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"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."
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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.
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