Resources

Explore our free resources for small business owners and entrepreneurs in the Elk Island Region.

Useful Links:

General Business

• SME Direct - Gain access to a wealth of small business information available through Industry Canada.
• Bplans.com Small Business Planning Centre - In-depth site of how to start a business.
• ENTERWeb - Quality source of information on small business, finance, community development, international trade, entrepreneurship, enterprise development, and the economy.
• 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.
• Workink - An online career development AND employment portal for Canadians with disabilities.

 Alberta Employment

• Alberta Works - offers employment and career resources, training supports, Alberta job & career fairs, income support, and health benefits
• Alberta/Canada Job Grant - Train the workers you need. The Alberta-Canada job grant can help fund training for your new or current employees
• Citizenship and Immigration Canada - Express Entry Information for Employers - You can fill labour market shortages permanently with skilled foreign nationals.

Youth Entrepreneurship

• BDC Entrepreneurs First - Business Development Bank of Canada's entrepreneurship opportunities.
• 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.
• 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
• Youth Café - Government of Canada website for youth seeking employment opportunities.

Indigenous Resources

• Aboriginal Youth Business Council
• Business Link Indigenous Services
• BDC Indigenous Entrepreneur
• Indigenous Services Canada
• Indigenous and Northern Affairs Canada

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
• Economic Development & Trade
• Alberta Canada
• BizPal Alberta
• Business in Alberta
• Corporate Registries
• Advanced Education
• Occupational Health & Safety
• Service Alberta
• Working in Alberta
• Community and Regional Economic Development Funding Opportunities

 Government of Canada

• The Government of Canada
• Agriculture & Agrifood Canada
• Canada Border Services Agency
• Canada Business Network - General Links
• 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 Canada Economic Diversification

Entrepreneurs with Disabilities

• Disability Resource Guide
• Workink

Francophone Economic Development Organization

• CDEA

Business Education & Other Resources

• Agriculture Financial Services
• Alberta Innovates
• Alberta Women Entrepreneurs
• Business Development Bank of Canada (BDC)
• Business Link
• Canadian Commercial Corporation
• Dun and Bradstreet Business Information Services
• Entrepreneur's Organization
• Farm Credit Canada
• The Go Forth Institute For Entrepreneurial Skills Development
• The World Bank
• Women's Enterprise Centre

Starting a business in a city (Calgary/Edmonton)

Business Link operates walk-in centres in Edmonton and Calgary. They offer information and advice about everything from start-up, regulations, financing and loan programs to marketing, product sourcing, e-business and government programs and services. They can also be reached via a toll-free business information line: 1-800-272-9675.