The COVID-19 pandemic is taking a huge bite out of small businesses
That’s why the UCP government is aiming to provide a boost.
As they announced new measures to help curb the spread of the virus, the government announced it was expanding and increasing the threshold for the Enterprise Relaunch Grant. In a press release, they said 15,000 more businesses could be eligible for funding.
“Our small businesses need additional supports, and they need them today – that’s why we’re taking action now to increase the funding available to our local job creators,” Doug Schweitzer, Minister of Jobs, Economy and Innovation.
“We’ve tripled our support to get job creators the help they need so we can come out of this pandemic stronger than before. Alberta’s government is here for our small businesses while we protect the lives and livelihoods of all Albertans.”
In November the government announced support for Alberta businesses impacted by health measures and said they were eligible for a second payment through the program. That payment will now be 15 per cent of pre-pandemic monthly revenues up to a maximum of $15,000 – for a total of $20,000 in potential funding available for each business, up from the original $5,000.
“Our province’s job creators are barely surviving with nearly half reporting they are losing money every day they are open,” said Annie Dormuth, Alberta provincial affairs director, Canadian Federation of Independent Business.
“The expansion of the grant will help businesses who desperately need direct cash support keep their lights on and make it through to the new year.”