Alberta Small and Medium Enterprise Relaunch Grant

Last updated: Mar. 29, 2021 

The following is archived material.  Refer to your provincial government for more information.

The Alberta government has launched a new grant to help small and medium-sized businesses reopen after COVID-19 shutdowns.

The Small and Medium Enterprise Relaunch Grant offers up to $20,000 in funding for eligible businesses to help them offset a portion of their relaunch costs.

NEW: The Alberta government has dropped the threshold from a 40% revenue loss to 30% revenue loss due to the pandemic, and introduced a second payment through the program. 

The funds can be used for physical barriers, personal protective equipment and disinfecting supplies, along with rent, employee wages and inventory.

The grant is a taxable benefit and must declared on the businesses’ annual tax return.

Is my business eligible?

Businesses, cooperatives and non-profit organizations that were ordered to temporarily close or curtail operations as a result of COVID-19 shutdowns may be eligible.

To qualify, you must be open or plan to reopen as public health orders are lifted through Alberta’s phased relaunch.

You will be required to demonstrate a revenue reduction of at least 30%  in April and/or May 2020 as a result of public health orders.

First payment

Grant funding will be provided for 15% of the organization’s pre-COVID monthly revenue in either April 2019, May 2019, or February 2020 up to a maximum of $5,000 per business, cooperative or non-profit organization.

Second payment

A second payment is available to businesses in areas on the provincial watch list that were required to curtail operations as a result of new public health orders in effect from November 6, 2020 and later.

The second payment is up to a maximum of $15,000, which means you could get a total of $20,000 from the grant.

Does my business qualify?

Your business must have less than 500 employees and meet one of the following legal entities:

• Corporation registered under the Business Corporations Act (Alberta)
• Partnership registered under the Partnership Act (Alberta)
• Sole proprietor with a trade name registered under the Partnership Act (Alberta)
• Corporation incorporated under a special act or a private act of the Alberta legislature
• Non-profit registered under a special act or a private act of the Alberta legislature
• Non-profit registered under part 9 of the Companies Act (Alberta)
• Society registered under the Societies Act (Alberta) or Agricultural Societies Act (Alberta)
• Cooperative registered under the Cooperatives Act (Alberta)
• Maintain a permanent establishment  in Alberta and be established (and in good standing) under at least one of the above acts/legislation
• Be carrying on business/operations or were eligible to carry on business/operations in Alberta on February 29, 2020

What if I’ve received financial relief from another COVID-19-related program?

You can still receive the grant if you’ve received relief from the following:

• Alberta Workers’ Compensation Board premium relief
• Business Credit Availability Program (BCAP)
• Canada Emergency Business Account (CEBA)
• Western Economic Development Regional Relief and Recovery Fund
• Canada Emergency Wage Subsidy (CEWS)
• Canada Emergency Commercial Rent Assistance (CECRA)
• Government of Alberta grant relief funding for the child care sector

How do I apply?

1. Read the full program guidelines.

2. Create a My Alberta Digital ID (MADI) user account. If you already have a MADI user account, you can log in with your existing credentials.

You will need the following information for your application:

• Legal business name
• Corporate Access Number (CAN)
• Financial details of pre-COVID revenue and COVID-impacted revenue
• Social Insurance Number (for sole proprietors only)
• Banking information
• Financial information

Any questions about the application should be directed to SMErelaunch.program@gov.ab.ca.

Contact FBC

If you’d like to learn more about this or other COVID-19 programs for Canadian businesses, please call us at 1-800-265-1002 or email fbc@fbc.ca. Unlimited consultation related to tax matters is a key benefit of FBC Membership. You can also book an appointment.

Visit our COVID-19 Resource Centre for the latest information, advice and insights for small business owners.