Resources

Explore our FREE resources for small business owners and entrepreneurs in the Crowsnest Pass Region.

Resources & Tools:

• First Steps in Business

• Essential Guide to Starting a New Business in Rural Alberta

• Are you a likely entrepreneur?

• Checklist for Starting a Business

• Why Businesses Succeed

• The Five "C's" of Lending

• Testing Your Business Idea

• The Top 10 Reasons to Write a Business Plan

• Guidelines for a Business Plan

• Buying a Business Checklist

• Crowsnest Pass Business Licence Process

• Grant Writing 101

Loan Documents:

• New Loan Application Checklist

• Loan Application: Please let us know if you want us to mail you an application.

• Bank Rejection

• Cash Flow

• Loan Rejection Appeal Process

• Pad Agreement

Useful Links:

General Business

• SME Direct - Gain access to a wealth of small business information available through Industry Canada.

• CNP Adult Education - Supports literacy and education for adults of all ages. They offer one-on-one tutoring and small-group learning opportunities.

• Small Business Planning Centre - Learn to build a better business plan. Templates, sample gallery, and a step-by-step guide to establishing the foundation of your business.

• 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.

• Working - An online career development AND employment portal for Canadians with disabilities.

• Online Marketing Resources—Offers several great resources to small business owners on techniques for promoting your business and selling your goods and services.

• Business Link - Offers one-on-one advice, resources, and support; hosts and attends events, training, and webinars; and provides expert and confidential service.

• Small Business Startup Guide - Simplify your start-up “to-do’s” with this helpful guide. Join us and our partners at Business Link as we walk you through all the steps to turn your business idea into reality.

• Small Business Marketing Guide - 12 Golden Rules for Your Website.

• Small Business Financial Fundamentals Guide. 

Mental Health

• Counselling Alberta: This resource offers professional psychological support, including individual, group, and family counselling. Currently, it provides a no-wait, pay-what-you-can model, making it accessible for low-income individuals and potentially for CF clients who need to make every penny count.

• Opening Minds: Founded by the Mental Health Commission of Canada, Opening Minds offers training and tools to foster mental health discussions, tackle negative attitudes, and reduce the stigma associated with mental illness. They provide workplace training and Mental Health First Aid courses, which are already utilized by EDP coaches and may benefit client-facing staff.

• Wellness Together Canada: This website offers numerous free resources for mental health and substance use issues, including self-assessments, helplines, articles, and connections to local services.

Youth Entrepreneurship

• BDC Entrepreneurs First - Business Development Bank of Canada's entrepreneurship opportunities.

• Futurpreneur - Youth Business Assists young entrepreneurs in getting their ideas off the ground. It offers programs and services that allow them to achieve economic independence, develop self-confidence, and fulfill their self-employment goals.

• The Youth Entrepreneur's Network - An online community that supports the needs of young entrepreneurs worldwide as they attempt to build and thrive in their businesses.

• Rotary Alberta Youth Entrepreneurship Camp (RAYEC) - A week-long August camp for youth ages 13-15 interested in learning about business and entrepreneurship.

Indigenous Resources

• Aboriginal Youth Business Council

• Business Link Indigenous Services

• BDC Indigenous Entrepreneur

• Indigenous Services Canada

Regional Links

• Crowsnest Pass Chamber of Commerce

• Municipality of Crowsnest Pass

• Crowsnest Heritage Initiative

• Go Crowsnest

• Alberta SouthWest Regional Alliance

• Pincher Creek & District Chamber of Commerce

• SouthGrow Regional Initiative

• Take a Hike -Trailhead Descriptions

• Take a Hike - Map

Government of Alberta

• Government of Alberta

• Alberta Grants & Funding

• Alberta Investor Tax Credit (AITC)

• Alberta Small Business Resources

• Business and Economy

• Canada-Alberta Job Grant

• Community (Local) Economic Development

• Agriculture & Forestry

• Jobs, Economy & Innovation

• BizPal Alberta

• Service Alberta

• Advanced Education

• Labour & Immigration

• Occupational Health & Safety (OHS)

Government of Canada

• The Government of Canada

• Agriculture & Agrifood Canada

• Canada Border Services Agency

• Canada Business Service Centre

• Canadian Industry Statistics

• The Western Canada Business Service Network (WCBSN)

• Canada Revenue Agency

• Global Affairs Canada

• Employment & Social Development Canada

• Innovation, Science & Economic Development Canada

• Service Canada

• Statistics Canada

• Trade Commissioner Service Canada

• Western Economic Diversification

Entrepreneurs with Disabilities

• Federal Disability Reference Guide

Francophone Economic Development Organization

• CDEA

Business Education & Other Resources

• Agriculture Financial Services

• Alberta Innovates

• Alberta Women Entrepreneurs

• Business Development Bank of Canada (BDC)

• Canadian Commercial Corporation

• Dun and Bradstreet Business Information Services

• Entrepreneur's Organization

• Farm Credit Canada

• The GoForth Institute For Entrepreneurial Skills Development

• The World Bank

• Women's Enterprise Centre