Applications for new businesses and sole proprietors for COVID-19 relief funding are now open.

The government of Alberta has expanded its small and medium enterprise relaunch grant for those who opened for the first time from March to October 2020.

“Even during the pandemic, Alberta saw around 10,000 new businesses open across the province in 2020,” said Doug Schweitzer, Minister of Jobs, Economy and Innovation.

“These new businesses were started by Albertans who had the entrepreneurial spirit and confidence to bet on Alberta. Entrepreneurs, whether new or experienced, need to know that Alberta’s government is here to support them.”

The grant will cover 15 per cent of lost revenue up to $15,000 for businesses that can prove they’ve had at least a 30 per cent loss due to public health orders.

If the business receives the grant funding, they are able to use the money to offset the costs of relaunching –  including helping to launch an e-commerce site, replacing inventory, employee wages or implementing new measures to ensure COVID-19 safety protocols are followed.

To date, the grant program has provided more than $327 million to more than 47,000 businesses and has a cap of $500 million.

Applications close March 31, 2021.