(Canadian Press)

By Justin Goulet/LethbridgeNewsNOW

Added relief made available for Alberta businesses struggling through COVID

Apr 23, 2021 | 4:40 PM

LETHBRIDGE, AB – As announced earlier this month, the Alberta Government’s Small and Medium Enterprise Relaunch Grant (SMERG) program has been reopened.

Eligible businesses can now apply for the additional COVID-19 relief funding.

The SMERG offers monetary help to businesses, cooperatives and non-profits with less than 500 employees that have faced restrictions and/or closures due to the pandemic, and who have experienced revenue losses of at least 30 per cent. Hotels, taxis and ride-sharing services are now eligible for the payment.

Eligible organizations will get a payment of up to $10,000, which follows the previous intake that provided up to $20,000. This funding can be used for:

• Covering the costs of items that help prevent the spread of COVID-19, like PPE and cleaning supplies.
• Paying rent, employee wages or replacing inventory.
• Helping businesses expand their online presence or e-commerce opportunities so that they can continue to serve customers.

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Minister of Jobs, Economy and Innovation Doug Schweitzer said, “We have to be there to help small businesses in Alberta get to the other side of this pandemic. With the expansion of the relaunch grant, we are helping small businesses make it through the third wave of COVID-19.”

“We know the past year has not been easy and are grateful for what all small businesses in Alberta have done to help protect the lives of Albertans in their communities.”

Application intake for the SMERG is open until May 31, with a budget of $350 million. More details here.