The Grande Prairie & District Chamber of Commerce will be receiving $207,000 of federal ‘shop local’ funding. Chamber chair Larry Gibson says the program has been in the works for quite some time.  The Chamber will use the funds to promote local businesses.   

 “We are excited about being able to put more money behind ongoing and upcoming initiatives that will assist our region with its continued economic recovery.” 

Our vision is connecting business and creating opportunity while our mission is to facilitate and inspire world-class success of our business members. This funding from the federal government allows us even more ability to create and increase awareness of our many valuable small and medium-sized enterprises and encourage residents to obtain their products and services in this community.”  

The funding will support the launch and onboarding of businesses on the new provincial Chamber Market e-commerce solution platform; a partnership for tourism-related businesses between the Grande Prairie Regional Tourism Association and GetintheLoop; a ThinkLocalGP awareness and video campaign to draw attention to and support our entire business community; and more. 

“Throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, community chambers have truly been a lifeline for businesses,” says Ken Kobly, Alberta Chambers of Commerce President and CEO.  

“As we transition to reopening and recovery, we still have a long road ahead to rebuild our economy. This federal funding will help chambers do what we do best: support local job creators.”  

A third round of funding applications is currently being processed.  Gibson was unsure if they will receive the funding.  

“There [are] further funding programs that might be available and applications are in play right now and they're being reviewed.”