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By Josh Hall (Twitter: @Vancan19)

$3 million announced to increase digital footprint of small businesses

Mar 9, 2022 | 3:23 PM

Alberta’s small businesses can now access federal funding that will help increase their digital footprint.

This week, Federal Minister of Northern Affairs, and Minister Responsible for Prairies Economic Development Canada, as well as Minister for the Canadian Northern Economic Development Agency, Daniel Vandal, announced $3 million to aid that cause.

The money, under Business Link’s Digital Economy Program, means more businesses can adapt to the changing commercial environment in which there is increased reliance on online sales.

“Our government is working with Alberta and partners like Business Link to ensure small businesses emerge from the pandemic stronger and can take advantage of new market opportunities,” says Vandal. “Today’s investment will help small businesses across the province to reconnect with, and grow their customer bases – across the Prairies, and beyond.”

Adds Doug Schweitzer, Alberta’s Minister of Jobs, Economy and Innovation, this will help with the provincial economy now moving to sustained growth.

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“By providing Alberta’s small business community with easy-to-use tools and resources to grow, we are ensuring that they can also grow and thrive,” he says. “This investment will help even more small businesses benefit from the Digital Economy Program and expand their online presence and customer base.”

Clinton Senkow, chairperson for Business Link, says this is an incredible opportunity for small businesses to increase their potential for online revenue.

“Business Link is thrilled to partner with Digital Main Street to deliver this program in Alberta,” he says. “This additional funding from the Government of Canada complements the Government of Alberta’s investment and will help us reach even more small businesses.”

The Digital Economy Program was announced last fall when PrairiesCan announced $715,000 for Edmonton and Calgary business digitization projects.

Applications will remain open until March 2023, and there is no cost to eligible businesses.