Programs & Services

Financial Assistance | Technical Services | Self-Employment Program

Financial Assistance

The CNP BDC has several business loan programs available. For all loans the business must be located within the Municipality of the Crowsnest Pass. Select the one which best suits your needs:

Standard Loan Fund: For the creation and expansion of businesses.

Youth Entrepreneur Program: Business loans for youths under the age of 30.

Entrepreneurs With Disabilities Loan Fund: Business loans for individuals with disabilities.

Online Loan Amortization: See what your monthly payments will be for any loan (Java enabled browser required).

Canadian/American Mortgage Calculator: Java enabled browser required.

Technical Services

The CNP BDC provides free one-on-one counseling and technical services:

• courses on entrepreneurial and business skills
• business plans and new venture analysis
• market research analysis
• loan applications
• cash management
• information about government programs and available grants
• information on licensing and regulations
• general information about the region and its services
  
  

The CNP BDC also provides individuals with resources for assistance in researching business ideas. Materials include:

• statistical information
• books, magazines, reports, video tapes
• free access to computers and the Internet(through computers provided by Industry Canada through the Community Access Program).
• The CNP BDC can provide workshops if the demand exists and the subject is not already covered by locally offered courses.

Self-Employment Program (SE)

About the Self-Employment Program

The SE program is for people who are currently receiving Employment Insurance. SE allows these individuals to remain on income support while running their own business. Funding for this program is provided by Human Resources & Employment (Alberta) and the Crowsnest Pass Business Development Corporation works in conjunction with Southwest Alberta Business Development Institute to administer and provide training for the program.

Self-Employment Program Requirements

Successful applicants must:

• reside within the Municipality of the Crowsnest Pass.
• have a current EI claim, or have had an EI claim in the past three years, or a parental claim in the past five years.
• be legally entitled to work in Canada.
• complete a Self Employment Registration form and attend an orientation session with the SE Coordinator.
• provide a business plan that demonstrates the potential for long term employment creation.
• start a new business or take over an existing business in which you have no prior ownership.
• agree to work full-time on your business while you receive financial assistance.
• agree to provide monthly reports to the CNP BDC.
• attend mandatory entrepreneurial training workshops

Amount of Self-Employment Assistance

• the program may offer income benefits for up to 26 weeks. The amount you would received is based on your current EI claim rate until such time as your EI claim expires, and an assessment of need for the duration of the period, in which you may or may not qualify for additional funding
• The maximum duration of the program is 26 weeks.