Alberta commits $2.8 million to small- and medium-sized businesses
A $2.8-million investment in the Trade Accelerator Program aims to help Alberta-made companies and businesses expand their reach to markets around the world.
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In an announcement on Wednesday, the Minister of Jobs, Economy, Trade, and Immigration Joseph Schow announced the province's commitment to help Alberta's small- and medium-sized businesses and companies expand their reach into international markets.
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TAP was established nationally in 2017, with Calgary Economic Development administering the program within Alberta in 2018.
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Over the last seven years, 550 Alberta-based businesses were provided with knowledge, mentorship and resources to help their ventures grow and reach international markets.
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'This means bigger revenues, and more jobs for Albertans across the province,' Schow said. 'And of course, we get to showcase Alberta's economic success to the rest of the world.'
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Schow said the province values small businesses and wants to see them succeed beyond Alberta's borders.
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'Our government is fulfilling a gap to fund the Trade Accelerator Program by providing Calgary Economic Development with $2.8 million,' he said.
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The investment will continue to support TAP for the next five years. Over this period, the program is expected to assist 650 more companies, while expanding services and resources for businesses looking to grow.
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'Increasing trade is a priority for our government, which is why we are helping small- and medium-sized businesses grow,' Schow said. 'More than ever, we need to diversify our global trade and give businesses the tools they need to succeed.'
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In return, Schow said Alberta will see more jobs, investments, and a stronger economy through programs like TAP.
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'Those are businesses that supply families with good, mortgage-paying, grocery-buying, sport fee-paying jobs,' Schow said. 'Those are supporting families right here in Calgary, right here in Alberta.'
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By doing their part to empower small businesses, Schow said the province sees great things happening from their success.
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President and CEO of Calgary Economic Development, Brad Parry, said this is an important step forward in helping local Alberta and Calgary businesses grow, scale and compete on a national and global scale.
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