Business owners in the fire-ravaged Rocky Mountain resort town of Jasper are getting some financial help getting back on their feet.
The federal government says it’s providing close to $4 million in grants and aid to rebuild the local economy and bring back tourists.
Speaking at the local library on Thursday, federal Employment Minister Randy Boissonnault said close to $3.5 million in grants will be made available for small business owners.
Businesses with 50 or fewer employees licensed in either the Jasper townsite or Jasper National Park can apply for up to $10,000 in funding, which does not have to be repaid.
Sole proprietors can receive up to $5,000 in funding.
“I’ve heard loudly and clearly that businesses need more support,” said Boissonnault.
“Put together, this money is going to help more than 320 businesses in town and support more than 500 good tourism jobs.”
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Mike Day, a Tourism Jasper board member and restaurant owner in town, said the funding should help many businesses survive the winter season without relying on debt, which he said is an issue some businesses are still managing after the COVID-19 pandemic.
“I think we’re still in a very vulnerable situation for a lot of small businesses,” Day said.
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He noted that the July wildfire, which destroyed one-third of the town and more than 800 housing units, also erased what’s considered the peak tourism season for businesses as the national park largely remained closed until October.
“I would think, from a small business side, this is going to, again, just help people with cash flow (and) get them to a place without taking on more debt,” Day said.
Besides the grant funding, the federal government has pledged half a million dollars for Tourism Jasper to create programs and exhibits to lure back visitors, especially for the upcoming winter.
“We’re going to see light installations, ice sculptures, artistic performances, nature-based tours, (and for) those of you who like food there’s culinary options, culinary samplings on the way, and activities that showcase the area’s rich Indigenous culture,” Boissonnault said.
Asked about the importance of tourists visiting over the winter, Jasper Mayor Richard Ireland compared the situation to a farming community looking ahead after losing an entire growing season’s harvest.
“You will be welcome, and every visitor is needed,” Ireland said, before pitching that the assembled crowd stay in town for more than just the government announcement.
“If you all want, you can stay here for five days and we’ll just talk,” he joked.
“Find a place to stay and stick around.”
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