Banff 
Alberta government is investing $10 million over two years in Digital Economy Program which will help small businesses in the province increase their digital presence.
Digital Economy Program consists of ShopHERE powered by Google program and Digital Service Squad Grant program.
The program will be delivered by Business Link, a 1996 established non-profit organization jointly funded by the Government of Alberta and Government of Canada, and Digital Main Street, a nationally recognized online platform and service for businesses.
ShopHERE powered by Google program allows eligible small businesses to create and operate an online store. Alberta small businesses can access help through Digital Main Street to establish an online store and receive training and support to manage it.
The Digital Service Squad Grant program will provide funding to eligible organizations in Alberta to hire Alberta post-secondary students and recent graduates to regional digital service squads. Small businesses in Alberta can apply to Digital Service Squad to get free technical support to adopt digital technologies ranging from websites to Google business profiles, social media, e-commerce and more.
Eligible organizations like non-profits, economic development agencies, business improvement associations, chambers of commerce, Indigenous organizations and municipalities that work to develop small businesses in Alberta can apply for Digital Service Squad Grant program.
Minister of Jobs, Economy and Innovation Doug Schweitzer said in a statement, “We want to provide Alberta’s small business community with easy-to-use tools and resources to grow. This program will not only support Alberta’s small businesses but will also provide employment opportunities for post-secondary students and recent graduates looking to apply their technology skills and gain valuable experience.”
As per the news release, small businesses in the province employ more than 623,000 Albertans and nearly 45 per cent of private sector employment. It also accounts for more than 98 per cent of all businesses in Alberta.
