Grande Prairie, AB, September 13, 2021 – The City of Grande Prairie and County of Grande Prairie are joining the Grande Prairie & District Chamber of Commerce in proclaiming Small Business Week October 17-23, 2021.

“Small Business Week is our annual celebration of entrepreneurship in our community,” says Larry Gibson, Grande Prairie Chamber Chair. “Our vision is connecting business and creating opportunity while our mission is to facilitate and inspire world-class success of our business members. Small Business Week allows us another spotlight to do so with events such as our Women in Business Lunch, Rotary Lunch, and GP Chamber Awards of Distinction.”

In proclaiming Small Business Week, the City and County recognize that Grande Prairie’s regional economy is one of the most prosperous in the world, and the small business sector is one of its greatest strengths. Small business owners and their employees are highlighted for the enormous contribution they make to this region’s success through their vision, responsibility, innovation, dedication, and hard work.

“Grande Prairie’s small business community is integral to providing diverse, high-quality services to the region and has an immense positive economic and social impact on the community,” says Jackie Clayton, Mayor of the City of Grande Prairie. “The City of Grande Prairie is proud to celebrate all of our small business owners this week and their commitment and contributions to our community year-round.”

Small businesses are a vital part of our region’s economy, with more than two-thirds of Canadian employees working for small businesses, and it is often the entrepreneurs who are the inventors, the risk-takers, and the job creators.

“The County is proud to support Small Business Week, to recognize and celebrate the accomplishments of small businesses and their significant impact in our community and economy,” says Leanne Beaupre, County of Grande Prairie Reeve. “Pioneers and entrepreneurs built the foundation of the County. We are happy to see this long-standing tradition remain strong. Their contributions have helped make our region prosperous and resilient. Continuing to support our local, small businesses is now more important than ever, so let’s work together to keep that momentum strong.”

The City of Grande Prairie, County of Grande Prairie and Chamber of Commerce encourage all residents to observe Small Business Week appropriately, by dedicating themselves to learning more about these entrepreneurs and how we can help them continue on their tremendous path of success.

Nominations for the GP Chamber Awards of Distinction close September 24, 2021. Visit the Chamber website grandeprairiechamber.com/bdc-small-business-week/ for more information.