City announces new funding grant to assist local businesses

Today, The City of Calgary is opening applications for a new grant program for local business operators, owners and entities. Funding is being provided by The City of Calgary through the Calgary Covid Business Support Program that was approved by Council in early September.

The Calgary Business Support Grant will assist in Calgary’s economic recovery by providing financial assistance to businesses impacted by the Provincial Restrictions Exemption Program (REP). Healthy businesses are the foundation of a flourishing economy, and The City’s new grant program supports business owners as they ensure compliance with municipal and provincial public health measures.

The grant available is $2,000 per physical permanent premise. Businesses that must comply with the REP, as set out in the new municipal bylaw, are eligible to apply. The extensive list of eligible businesses—as well as Terms and Conditions—can be found on the grant website calgary.ca/businessgrant.

Grant funds will be distributed on a first-come, first-served basis. Applicants are encouraged to apply as soon as possible. There is approximately $5 million in funds available.

“This is proving so far to be the toughest quarter of the pandemic in so many ways and we wanted to find yet another way to help business owners and operators,” said City Manager David Duckworth. “After the Province announced the REP a few weeks ago, we could see that compliance would mean more costs for businesses. We hope our Calgary grant can reduce some of the impact they are experiencing right now.”

Business operators must have a valid, active City of Calgary business licence with operations at the premise for which the application is being made and must occupy a permanent physical premise within Calgary city limits.

After introduction of the Province’s REP measures in late September, The City began developing a grant program to assist local businesses. The grant was discussed in the Special Meeting of Council on Sept. 22 and highlighted at a Town Hall for businesses on Oct. 1.

The Province announced on Oct. 7 that an Alberta grant is under development over the next several weeks.

“The City continues to work with business partners to rebuild the local economy,” said Erin Chrusch, Leader, Business and Local Economy for the The City of Calgary. These groups include the Business Improvement Areas (BIAs), the Business Advisory Committee and the Business Sector Task Force. “We continue to keep in direct touch and, when we can, take direct action in support of local enterprises. We are also pleased to see that the Province has recognized the impact that the Restrictions Exemption Program is having on small business by announcing their own grant, which we understand should be available sometime in November.”

The Calgary Business Support Grant is open now for applications on calgary.ca/businessgrant. Applications will be accepted from Oct. 12 to Nov. 30, 2021, or until funds are exhausted (whichever is sooner).