Municipal District of Bonnyville
Media Release
M.D. of Bonnyville, Town of Bonnyville and Community Futures Lakeland
distribute $65,285.91 for Regional COVID-19 Relief Program
April 23, 2021 — The Municipal District of Bonnyville, Town of Bonnyville, and Community Futures Lakeland distributed $65,285.91 (98.9% of funds available) through the joint Regional COVID-19 Relief Program.
The program was designed to help small and medium-sized businesses in the Town and M.D. offset costs associated with operating in the current pandemic environment, including expenditures related to PPE, marketing, accounting, and other business services. A total of 68 businesses were approved and provided with up to $1,000 each.
Both municipal partner contributions to the program came from the recently received Government of Alberta Municipal Operating Support Transfer (MOST) program.
“I’m very pleased that we’ve been able to assist local businesses in this small way during these challenging times,” said Greg Sawchuk, Reeve of the M.D. “I was also surprised at some of the amounts that businesses have had to incur for the costs of PPE during the pandemic.”
Bonnyville Mayor Gene Sobolewski also commented, “it is important to remember that small businesses are central to the economy of rural areas and I urge all Town and M.D. residents to shop local when they can. I am also pleased that this grant program was able to assist with setting up some businesses for the future by developing e-commerce ready websites.”
Local businesses are urged to contact Community Futures Lakeland at 780-826-3858 for updates and information on grants, loans, and other programs that can help them succeed. Some programs currently running include one-on-one business counseling, research services, Regional Relief and Recovery Fund applications, free webinars, and more.