News Release
For immediate release
Emergency Relief Available for Small Businesses Affected by Fires in the Wood Buffalo Region
(Fort McMurray, AB – June 10, 2016) – Small Businesses in the Wood Buffalo region impacted by the fires will now have the opportunity to apply for some initial emergency financial relief.
The Regional Municipality of Wood Buffalo (RMWB) and Economic Developers Alberta (EDA), thanks to financial support from the Canadian Red Cross, will be providing $1000 to each small business that meets the eligibility criteria.
“Our businesses are resilient, but the wildfires have affected our community profoundly,” said Mayor Melissa Blake. “We know that they need financial assistance as they begin working through the recovery process, and I encourage all small business owners in the municipality to apply for this support.”
Financial relief for small business was identified as a key priority in the Business and Economic Disaster Recovery Plan, approved by Council on May 25, 2016. To receive the emergency relief funds, small businesses must phone the Wood Buffalo Business Recovery Hotline to register their business. Once registered, small businesses that meet the eligibility criteria will receive instructions on how to receive the $1000 of emergency relief.
Small businesses are able to register on the Wood Buffalo Business Recovery Hotline at 1-855-RMWB BIZ (1-855-769-2249) from 7 a.m. to 9 p.m., seven days a week. To receive funding, businesses must meet the following eligibility criteria:
· Register their business at the RMWB Business Recovery Hotline (1-855-RMWB BIZ).
· Have an active RMWB business license.
· Be located/headquartered in a RMWB community.
· Be a small business – defined as having 50 employees or less, excluding contractors.
For further resources and information, visit www.choosewoodbuffalo.ca.
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Media inquiries:
Regional Municipality of Wood Buffalo
pio@rmwb.ca
Economic Developers Alberta (EDA)
Leann Hackman-Carty, EDA CEO
leann@edaalberta.ca
403-807-7746
