Calgary businesses can apply for a $2,000 grant that will help them comply with municipal and provincial public health measures.
Grants applications opened Oct. 12 and will run until Nov. 30, or until the $5 million in cash set aside for the program is exhausted, the city said.
The City of Calgary approved a localized implementation of the vaccine passport program in late September. At that time, they’d also indicated they would be designing a program with a small cash grant for local businesses.
Businesses that apply must be compliant with Alberta’s Restrictions Exemption Program, as set out in the city’s bylaw.
“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.”
Applicants must have a valid, active City of Calgary business license with operations at the premise for which the application is being made. They also must have a permanent physical premise within Calgary city limits.
“The City continues to work with business partners to rebuild the local economy,” said Erin Chrusch, Leader, Business and Local Economy for The City of Calgary.
“We continue to keep in direct touch and – when we can – take direct action in support of local enterprises.”
Grants will be doled out on a first-come, first-served basis, the city said.
You can find more information on the city’s website.
