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Doug Schweitzer (rdnewsNOW file photo)
through June 30

Alberta extends small business grant application intake

May 26, 2021 | 1:51 PM

Application intake for the spring 2021 payment from Alberta’s small business grant has been extended to June 30.

In April, Alberta’s government reopened the Small and Medium Enterprise Relaunch Grant program for a new payment to businesses affected by the April 2021 public health orders. Extending the application intake enables organizations subsequently affected by the May 2021 health orders to apply for this additional COVID relief funding. The program budget remains at $350 million.

“Alberta businesses have made sacrifices to stop the spike of COVID-19. Your efforts have made a difference, and we know we will soon be able to begin to lift restrictions and allow businesses to operate at full capacity,” said Doug Schweitzer, Minister of Jobs, Economy and Innovation. “As more Albertans are vaccinated, I am hopeful that this is the last time we need to extend the SMERG program.”

The Small and Medium Enterprise Relaunch Grant (SMERG) offers financial assistance to Alberta businesses, cooperatives and non-profit organizations with fewer than 500 employees that have faced restrictions or closures due to COVID-related public health orders, and have experienced revenue losses of at least 30 per cent.

Eligible organizations will receive a payment of up to $10,000, which follows the previous intake that provided up to $20,000. Funds can be used as business owners see fit.

Organizations that did not apply under the previous run of SMERG will not be able to apply for the prior payments – only the new $10,000 payment.

Organizations may only apply to the current SMERG program once. Money received under SMERG does not need to be repaid.

Additional supports for businesses are available through the federal government.