Resources for Alberta Businesses
Explore our free resources for small business owners and entrepreneurs in rural Alberta.
Community Futures Lesser Slave Lake
Our Business Services & Loans
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Want one-on-one business counseling? Connect with us for Business Coaching and Advice.
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Ready for skills development? Check out our Business Training and Development.
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We offer Business Loans and Lines of Credit for entrepreneurs who....
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Want to start a new business?
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Found a business to buy?
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Ready to expand into new markets?
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Need cash to seize an opportunity?
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Young and business-minded?
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Have a disability and a business idea?
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Indigenous community-owned businesses? The Aboriginal Business Investment Fund can help.
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Do you live in our region and want to beautify the inside or exterior of your business? Our Beautification Loan Program is here for you.
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Are you a woman entrepreneur in Alberta? Get support with the Capital Growth Initiative.
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Need a space for a team meeting or workshop? Learn about our Board Room Bookings.
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Have an idea for a creative partnership? Learn about Community Economic Development opportunities.
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Let's Love Local, Shop Local! Have your business listed for FREE in our local Business Directory.
Frequently Asked Questions
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Find out if your business needs a GST number?
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Looking for step-by-step guide for starting a business? Find it in How To Start a Business - A Checklist
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Want to incorporate your business? Learn more about incorporating your business in Alberta.
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Learn the advantages of incorporating your business.
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Learn the advantages of a business partnership vs. a corporation.
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Learn the advantages of a sole proprietorship.
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Credit Scores: What? Why How?
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What do you need to know before getting a loan?
More Useful Resource Links
General Business Resources
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Canadian Business and Industry - Canadian business supports and information
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SME Direct - Gain access to a wealth of small business information available through Industry Canada.
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Bplans.com - Small Business Planning Centre offers an in-depth 'How To' start a business.
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GoForth Institute - If you're looking to bolster your understanding of how to start, run or grow a successful and profitable business, learn GoForth Institute's 100 Essential Small Business Skills™ in only 10 hours conveniently delivered to your computer through streaming video and an option 400+ page resource curriculum book.
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Entrepreneurs Kauffmann Foundations - Information on small business, finance, community development, international trade, entrepreneurship, enterprise development, and the economy.
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Financial Performance Data - Market research data.
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Canadian Council on Rehabilitation and Work - Employment site for Canadians with disabilities
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Workink - a dedicated space for job postings by equity employers* offering inclusive employment.
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Invention information - Innovation, Science and Economic Development in Alberta
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FEDO - Francophone Economic Development Organizations
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CDEA - Conseil de développement économique de l'Alberta
Alberta Employment Resources
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Alberta Works - offers employment and career resources, training supports, Alberta job & career fairs, income support, and health benefits.
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Alberta Export Expansion Program - Provides funding support to promote Alberta exports through outbound international business travel or bringing international buyers to Alberta.
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Alberta/Canada Job Grant - Train the workers you need. The Alberta-Canada job grant can help fund training for your new or current employees.
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Alberta Purchasing Connection (APC) - A convenient online tool for the tendering of public sector opportunities for goods, services and construction.
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Alberta Self-employment Program - supports unemployed and marginally employed individuals who have a viable business idea and require additional training to become self-employed.
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Citizenship and Immigration Canada - Express Entry Information for Employers - You can fill labour market shortages permanently with skilled foreign nationals.
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Film and Television Tax Credit - Offers a refundable Alberta tax credit certificate on eligible Alberta production and labour costs to corporations that produce films, television series and other eligible screen-based productions in the province.
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Regional Economic Development Services (REDS) - Specialists with local knowledge of the economic opportunities and challenges facing Alberta’s regions.
Youth Entrepreneurship Resources
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BDC Entrepreneurs First - Business Development Bank of Canada's entrepreneurship opportunities.
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Futurpreneur - Assisting young entrepreneurs to get their ideas off the ground, Youth Business offers programs and services that allow them to achieve economic independence, develop self-confidence, and fulfill their goals of self-employment.
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The Youth Entrepreneur's Network - An online community that supports the needs of young entrepreneurs from around the world as they attempt to build and thrive in their own businesses.
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Aboriginal Youth Business Council - AYBC helping to try and meet the needs of Aboriginal youth in Canada.
Indigenous Business Resources
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Aboriginal Business Investment Fund - Helps Indigenous community-owned businesses capitalize on business development opportunities to improve socio-economic outcomes.
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Aboriginal Women's Business Entrepreneurship Network (AWBEN)
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Alberta Women Entrepreneurs Next Step Program for Aboriginal Women
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Council for the Advancement of Native Development Officers (CANDO)
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The Micropedia - This resource to learn more about microaggressions and their impact.
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Apeetogosan (Métis) Developmental Inc. & Pinnacle Business Service Ltd.
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Northeastern Alberta Aboriginal Business Association (NAABA)
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National Aboriginal Capital Corporations Association (NACAA)
2SLGBTQIA+ Business and Inclusivity Resources
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Beyond Diversity - An LGBT Best Practice Guide for Employers - by Great Place to Work and Pride at Work Canada
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Building the evidence base about economic, health, and social inequities faced by LGBTQ2S+ individuals in Canada - Phase 1 Report - Women and Gender Equality Canada
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Building the evidence base about economic, health, and social inequities faced by LGBTQ2S+ individuals in Canada - Phase 2 Report - Women and Gender Equality Canada
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Building the evidence base about economic, health, and social inequities faced by LGBTQ2S+ individuals in Canada - Phase 3 Report - Women and Gender Equality Canada
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Creating Authentic Spaces - A gender identity and gender expression toolkit to support the implementation of institutional and social change.
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Know Your Rights - A Guide for LGBTQ2+ Employees by Pride at Work Canada
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Hiring Across All Spectrums - A Report on Broadening Opportunities for LGBTQ2+ Jobseekers
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Lead with Pride - Best Practices for Advancing 2SLGBTQIA+ Leadership
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LGBTQ2S+ voices in employment - Labour market experiences of sexual and gender minorities in Canada.
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The Micropedia - This resource to learn more about microaggressions and their impact.
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Pay Gaps, Precarity, And Prejudice - New Evidence on LGBTQ2S+ Employment in Canada - Women and Gender Equality Canada
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Summary of evidence about economic, health and social inequities faced by LGBTQ2S+ individuals in Canada - 2022 Final Report - Women and Gender Equality Canada
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Transitioning Employers - A Survey of Policies and Practices for Trans-inclusive Workplace
Government of Alberta Business Resources
Government of Canada Business Resources
Business Education & Other Resources