On May 27, 2020, the City of Edmonton announced an economic recovery program for businesses. The five-pronged initiative includes a reduction in business license fees and the ability for businesses and organizations to access grants of up to $75,000.
The five prongs of the Economic Recovery Plan include:
- Businesses will have the option to reduce business licence fee payment by 50 per cent (upon request) until December 31, 2020;
- The Edmonton Economic Recovery Grant will provide funding to support business during the initial relaunch and recovery phase;
- Continued One-on-One Support Program;
- Process improvements and red tape reduction; and
- Nimble responses to specific business needs for relaunch and recovery.
Edmonton Economic Recovery Grant
The Edmonton Economic Recovery Grant is a two-phased funding program designed to support businesses in the initial relaunch and through the recovery phase. The funds will be delivered through two streams: the city stream and the business association stream.
The city stream will provide grants of a maximum of $25,000 per grant to businesses struggling to reopen or pivot their business as a result of COVID-19. Businesses will be required to match the grant amount.
The Business Association stream will provide up to $75,000 per grant to local businesses or associations that deliver projects or programs that directly support the grant program criteria. Associations will not be required to match the grant amount.
The eight criteria upon which businesses and associations will be evaluated includes:
- Jobs
- Financial stability
- COVID-19 impact
- Partner leverage
- Economic diversification
- Business transformation
- Tangible placemaking benefits
- Environmental alignment
More information about the grant program criteria and application process will be available here after June 8.
Reduction in Business License Fee
Businesses with license renewals pending between June 1 and December 31, 2020 will have the option to reduce their business license fees by 50%. To take advantage of the reduced fee option, businesses must contact the city directly.
The city is setting aside $3.1 million to cover reduced fees, with the aim of filling "some of the gaps that extensive provincial and federal programs have yet to meet."
One-on-One Support Program
The One-on-One Support Program is a resource available in Edmonton to support small businesses and assist with navigating the challenges of starting a new business, including navigating the business license and permitting process. To access the One-on-One Support Program, complete the form or email smallbusiness@edmonton.ca.
Status Update on Business and Operations in Edmonton
On May 28, 2020, the city renewed the State of Local Emergency. Unless renewed or cancelled, the State of Local Emergency is in place for seven days.
Since the Provincial Stage One Relaunch on May 14, 2020, Edmonton has announced several other measures which signal the city's intention to relax restrictions on citizens and business.
- City-owned golf courses reopened to the public on May 11;
- Off-leash dog parks have been reopened;
- Relaxation of rules around patio expansions for local businesses;
- Outdoor courts reopened May 22;
- City playgrounds reopened May 22;
- Animal Care and Control reopened intake;
- Paid parking in the downtown core will be reinstated June 8; and
- Edmonton Valley Zoo set to reopen June 15, with some restrictions.
Outdoor pools, spray parks and City of Edmonton summer programming will remain closed/suspended for the 2020 season. Open spaces, such as picnic areas as well as drinking fountains and the funicular will remain closed. Rentals for paddleboards, kayaks and other water equipment will not be offered at Rundle and Hawrelak parks. Sports fields and facilities will also remain closed until at least June 14. Libraries, Day Camps, and eScooters are under assessment for phase two.
Businesses beginning to reopen will likely have many questions and may encounter many challenging circumstances in doing so, and we are here to help you navigate these challenges. If you have questions relating to your organization's specific circumstances, please reach out to MLT Aikins for assistance.
The content of this article is intended to provide a general guide to the subject matter. Specialist advice should be sought about your specific circumstances.
