While creativity and resilience are necessary qualities for anyone owning a business, the landscape has changed dramatically over the past year.

Business owners have worked hard to adjust operations in light of the COVID-19 pandemic. New guidelines and restrictions demanded quick shifts to new ways to deliver goods and services to clients. In many cases, businesses had to close their doors entirely for lengthy periods.

There are targeted programs available from both the provincial and federal governments to help businesses respond to these challenges and adapt to changing industry conditions. Here are three:

Small and Medium Enterprise Relaunch Grant (Government of Alberta)

This grant program provides funding for small and medium-sized businesses, co-ops and non-profits impacted by COVID-19 to offset a portion of their costs.

• The program offers up to $20,000 for organizations established before Feb. 29, 2020, including unregistered sole proprietors.
• Up to $15,000 is available for new organizations that began operations between March 1 and Oct. 31, 2020, including unregistered sole proprietors.