The City’s Economic Recovery Committee has allocated an additional $50,000 to the Local Marketing Grant as part of the COVID-19 Economic Recovery Program to assist more local businesses and organizations with their marketing efforts in time for the holiday season.
The decision comes after the initial funding allocated to the Local Marketing Grant was fully distributed, demonstrating a need and interest in the Local Marketing Grant from the business community during the initial launch of the Economic Recovery Program.
To date, $48,446 in total grant funding has been awarded to 17 recipients for the Local Marketing Grant.
Approved projects include website upgrades, social media advertising campaigns, e-commerce setup, videography and photography for use in advertising and social platforms. Businesses that have been approved as of November 18 include:
- Interactive Counselling Ltd.
- Trapped Entertainment Ltd.
- Beairsto & Associates Engineering Ltd.
- Big Rig Collision (Grande Prairie) Ltd.
- Custom Communications and Security Inc. (CCSI)
- Grande Prairie Downtown Association
- Merle Norman & InSPArations Day Spa
- Madd Hatters Inc.
- Mont Tea
- Art Gallery of Grande Prairie (Art in the City)
- Tito’s Bistro & Café
- Eternity Fine Jewellery and Heirlooms
- Heiho Dojo Ltd.
- Energy Efficiency Pros
- 3Sixty Business Services
- To the Root Dental Hygiene Ltd.
- The Headroom Inc.
The Beautification and Patio Grant remains open for applications, with the winter months presenting an ideal opportunity for businesses to use the program to prepare for spring projects.
About the Grants
Earlier this year, Grande Prairie City Council approved the COVID-19 Economic Recovery Fund and two grant opportunities that support local economic recovery, the Local Marketing Grant and the Beautification and Patio Grant.
The Local Marketing Grant aids in the development of marketing initiatives, materials, or content that support Grande Prairie’s COVID-19 recovery and drive tourism by attracting visitors or enhancing a businesses’ digital presence. The grant enhances the marketing efforts or digital presence of a local business resulting in driving cash flow to local businesses and accelerating the local economic recovery. The grant matches 50% of project costs, to a maximum of $2,500 for the creation of a marketing plan or marketing content.
Collaborative projects involving the promotion of three or more businesses are eligible for up to 75% of funding to a maximum of $7,500. The intent of this is to drive tourism efforts, enhance the visitor experience, encourage placemaking and create natural partnerships.
The Beautification and Patio Grant acts as an immediate economic driver by providing local employment and business for local trades and suppliers, as well as enhance building aesthetics contributing to the beautification and vibrancy of the city. The grant will pay up to 50% of eligible project costs, up to a maximum of $15,000 for any façade improvement, landscaping or patio project that improves aesthetic appeal, pedestrian access and safety according to the Program Guidelines.
The program will focus on the beautification of the City which will include the following components:
- Façade improvements to commercial businesses to improve aesthetic appeal, accessibility and safety.
- Landscaping and signage improvements to enhance the exterior of businesses with landscaping and improved signage.
- Patios to create vibrancy by placing activities outside and connecting businesses to the streets.
Applications for both grants are being reviewed on a bi-weekly basis and funds are allocated to businesses that meet the criteria in a first-come-first-served model. Program guidelines and eligibility are available on the City website at cityofgp.com/economicrecoveryprogram.