City Resources & Support
The City of Grande Prairie's Economic Development Department connects local businesses and investors with resources and information.
Visit the Economic Development website for more information.
The city offers the following grant programs for businesses which can be found on the Economic Development section of our website.
For information on Business Licensing, visit business licensing.
External Supports
The following organizations provide various supports for businesses in the Grande Prairie area:
ATB Entrepreneur Centre
As of May 2018, Grande Prairie is the fourth location in Alberta to welcome an ATB Entrepreneur Centre. The Centre offers various tools to help your business and personal finances grow together. Small business experts are available to provide mentorship and advice at various stages of your business.
Phone: 780-539-7450
Centre for Research & Innovation
Started by Grande Prairie Regional College and Peace Region Economic Development Alliance and works to link entrepreneurs, innovators and business leaders to researchers, scientists, business development specialists, mentors and market development specialists in the Peace Region. The centre helps to bring innovative ideas from the drawing board to the real world.
Phone: 780-539-3807; 1-877-539-2808 (Toll-free)
Community Futures Grande Prairie & Region
A non-profit organization that is actively engaged in helping to develop and implement community-based economic development strategies. The organization offers business counseling, business loans and programs, self-employment and entrepreneur training, and also community economic development programs.
Phone: 780-814-5340
Grande Prairie Downtown Association
The Grande Prairie Downtown Association acts as the leading support system for the vibrant downtown community. Their services and initiatives include developing strategies, hosting events and special programs to promote businesses, seeking funding and lobbying on behalf of businesses in the core.
Grande Prairie & District Chamber of Commerce
Supporting all businesses in Grande Prairie is the Grande Prairie & District Chamber of Commerce. Comprised of over 1,100 members, representing more than 19,000 employees, the Grande Prairie Chamber is the 3rd largest in Alberta. The Chamber is dedicated to connecting business by creating opportunities for networking, business promotion, advocacy, and policy development.
Phone: 780-532-5340
Grande Prairie Regional Tourism Association
A non-profit marketing organization funded by partnership fees, memberships, marketing programs and fundraising initiatives. Grande Prairie Regional Tourism Association (GPRT) is dedicated to increasing local business revenue by promoting the Grande Prairie area through every possible marketing avenue and is continually seeking new opportunities to showcase the region.
Peace Region Economic Development Alliance (PREDA)
One of the fourteen Regional Economic Development Alliances in Alberta. It is a partnership of 25 municipalities, educational institutions, business groups and government agencies. This non-profit organization works to guide regional economic development and to grow a vibrant economy that explores, promotes and facilitates new emerging opportunities, competitiveness and innovation.
Phone: 780-833-1035
Email: preda@peacecountrycanada.comThe Work Place
A partnership with the Government of Canada and the Province of Alberta, The Work Place provides employment support programs and services for both job seekers and employers. Services include training programs, workshop facilitation, needs assessments, and business planning services for both private and public-sector organizations.
Phone: 780-539-5477
Email: info@gpworkplace.caAlberta Small Business Resources
Alberta Small Business Resources is a directory of business resources for new and established entrepreneurs.
Alberta Women Entrepreneurs (AWE) is a not-for-profit organization dedicated to enabling women to build successful businesses. AWE provides unique programs and services to women at all stages of business through advising, financing, mentoring, and network development.
BizPaL - Business Permits and Licenses
An online service that simplifies the business permit and licence process for entrepreneurs, governments, and third-party business service providers. Launched in 2005, it is managed by a partnership involving governments at the federal, provincial, territorial, and municipal levels. The website will provide a one-stop destination to obtain permits and licenses needed to start and grow your business.
Business Link
Business Link offers one-on-one advice, resources, and support, host and attend events, training, and webinars, and provides expert and confidential service to help start and grow your businessIndigenous Business Development
Programs that support Indigenous entrepreneurs and business owners in Canada.
Business Development Bank of Canada
Assists with accessing business loans, additional financing, and provides advice from business consultants.
Local phone number: 780-513-5680Futurepreneur
The only national, non-profit organization that provides financing, mentoring and support tools to aspiring business owners aged 18-39. Their internationally recognized mentoring program hand matches young entrepreneurs with a business expert from a network of more than 3,000 volunteer mentors.Through digital programs and flagship events, Startup Canada is the network promoting, inspiring, educating, connecting and giving a voice to Canada’s entrepreneurs; supporting them to start, operate and scale businesses that build a better Canada for the world today and for future generations.