Many companies cannot support job creation and long-term growth through their operating budget alone.
This is one reason Western Diversification (WD) has been vital for businesses in Western Canada looking to set themselves up to be stronger in the future.
WD is a federal government department that facilitates a variety of programs and services aimed at supporting expansion efforts by businesses.
Earlier this year WD split into two agencies: Prairies Economic Development Canada (PrairiesCan), which covers Alberta, Saskatchewan, and Manitoba, and Pacific Economic Development Canada (PacifiCan), which covers British Columbia.
The change will allow for a more tailored approach to supports and services, helping regional economies across the region achieve better outcomes.
This includes taking into account the needs, limitations, and opportunities in each area.
PrairiesCan and PacifiCan programs include the Jobs and Growth (JAG) Fund, Business Scale-up and Productivity (BSP) program, Regional Economic Growth Through Innovation, Women Entrepreneurship Strategy and Strategic Partnerships Initiative (enhancing Indigenous participation in economic growth).
Many of these programs have limited windows for application throughout the year.
SJE Consulting Ltd. has acquired financial support for clients through a variety of these programs.
The BSP and JAG programs support projects designed to create jobs in the near-term and resiliency long-term. Companies looking to grow in the near future can benefit from these funding programs.
PrairiesCan and PacifiCan programs protected nearly 41,000 jobs through COVID-19 pandemic, supporting more than 9,400 businesses through its Regional Relief and Recovery Fund.
If you would like to learn more about these programs and how they may benefit your business, contact SJE Consulting Ltd.’s project manager Jason Adams at 1-877-753-2678 or jason@sjeconsulting.com
