The South Canadian Rockies Tourism Association (SCRTA) has received non-profit societal status in Alberta and is working collectively to bring a unified voice for the southwest corner of Alberta’s tourism operators. This effort has been underway since 2019 on achieving a collaborative destination management organization (DMO) for the region. The inaugural board of directors includes representatives from some amazing partners: Castle Mountain Resort, Heritage Inns, Beaver Mines General Store, Country Encounters Accommodations, Kootenai Brown Pioneer Village, Heritage Acres Farm Museum and Tamarack Outdoors.

The region unites around its diverse landscapes, outdoor recreation opportunities, and deep history to develop authentic, high quality visitor and guest experiences that attract visitors and drives community prosperity. The SCRTA will assist in facilitating sustainable tourism development that connects regional priorities with existing and emerging market opportunities through research, branding, marketing, training, and product development.

The following are links to Federal government  support programs available for small businesses during Covid-19. If you need more information or would like to speak with someone from Community Futures, please email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. We would be happy to provide you with whatever information you need during this difficult time.

Canada Business Emergency Account (CEBA) https://ceba-cuec.ca/

Highly Affected Sectors Credit Availability Program (HASCAP) Guarantee https://www.bdc.ca/en/special-support/hascap?ref=shorturl-hascap

Canada Emergency Rent Subsidy (CERS) https://www.canada.ca/en/revenue-agency/services/subsidy/emergency-rent-subsidy.html

Canada Emergency Wage Subsidy (CEWS) https://www.canada.ca/en/revenue-agency/services/subsidy/emergency-wage-subsidy.html

As we prepare for what the future of retail holds, there's only one thing that’s certain: the in-store shopping experience has changed irrevocably. When stores start to open back up, it’s important that retailers are mindful of how consumer behavior has shifted since the pandemic, and what services and experiences are now expected of all brick-and-mortar shops

In this three-part series, we'll outline

- essential technology and policies that retailers should implement as they plan to reopen their stores

- phased strategies for sta  management and training that align with the “new normal” following COVID-19

- what the future may hold for retail and some strategies for anticipating some of the ongoing shifts within the industry so you can be one of the brands that leads the pack when it comes to innovation, improved customer experience, and overall business resiliency.

Check out this PDF from Spotify.

Someday we'll get back to "normal", whatever that may look like. In the meantime, stay hopeful!

We are pleased to offer training opportunties for business owners learning how to exit their business, including a specialized series for family businesses.  We have partnered with three content providers to offer a comphrehensive selection of courses and workshops to fit your planning needs.  Please see below a list of mutliple session programs and shorter workshops - all free of charge.

Click here to learn more about our content providers (Alberta Family Business Insitute, Commercial Ventures and Succession Matching) and what sessions would be right for you.

Congratulations to all the winners and nominees of the 2021 Best of Crowsnest Awards. And thanks to the Crowsnest Pass Chamber of Commerce Association for this great opportunity to recognize our outstanding businesses and attractions. We are lucky to have such an amazing array of people contributing to our community.

Community Futures Crowsnest Pass is partnering witth other CF offices and outside vendors to offer a number of workshops and webinars to rural business owners who are looking at transitioning out of their respective businesses within the foreseeable future, either via a family transition or a sale to an unrelated party.

These sessions will:

• Raise awareness of an owner's need to plan an exit strategy
• Increase succession planning knowiedge in our rural entrepreneurs
• Provide new resources such as access to succession planning specialists, and a low-cost web-based platform to sell their business on
• Prevent small businesses in the community from shutting down
• Attract new entrepreneurs into the participaitng partner's regions.This project aims to raise awareness of the issue and educate business owners and their 'circle of influence' to provide access to additional resources. We endeavour to create tangible results, most notably by seeing transition to new owners and remaining part of our local economy.If you are planning to sell your business in the next few years, these sessions have what you need to know to get you on the right track to sell your business. Sign up today at:
  https://sxnm.typeform.com/to/IvrJPShttps://sxnm.typeform.com/to/IvrJPS

As Alberta continues reopening, this is a good source for industry specific Information and clarification Click on this link for businesses, including general guidance, guidance by sector, planning, and FAQs:

https://www.alberta.ca/biz-connect.asp

Here's a very good link for Resources for Business Leaders, updated daily. Helping understand the challenges and opportunities associated with running your business operations during the COVID-19 outbreak.

https://covidcontinuity.com/

Stay up to date by frequently checking provincial, national and international websites.

• Government of Alberta: COVID-19 information for Albertans (includes Info for Employers and Employees section)
• Government of Canada: COVID-19 Resources for Canadian Businesses
• Centre for Disease Control and Prevention: COVID-19 Resources
• World Health Organization: COVID-19 Updates