Community Futures Alberta — Financial Supports
Last Update: March 7, 2025
Cochrane, AB
Funding for rural SMEs in Alberta
Community Futures Alberta — Financial Supports at a glance
Eligible Funding
- Max. $150,000
Timeline
- Continuous Intakes
Financing Type
Loans and Capital investments
Eligible Industries
- All industries
Grant Providers
- Prairies Economic Development Canada (PrairiesCan)
- Community Futures Alberta
- Government of Canada
Status
Open
Overview of the Community Futures Alberta — Financial Supports program
If you're a small business owner or entrepreneur, you could get a loan of up to $150,000 to start or grow your business
Financing terms and conditions
The Community Futures Alberta grant provides adaptable financing solutions to support small businesses in rural areas. It offers a range of loan options that cater to various business growth needs.
- Flexible business loans are available for starting a new business, buying an existing business, or expanding into new markets.
- Funding can be used for opening a franchise, investing in technology, or renovating an existing business.
- Loans are available up to $150,000 with competitive interest rates and no hidden fees or penalties.
Eligible projects & activities
This grant provides financial support to small businesses in rural Alberta to help them start, grow, or transform their business operations. Eligible activities include business establishment, expansion, and technological investments.
- Starting a new business.
- Buying an existing business.
- Expanding into new markets.
- Opening a franchise.
- Investing in technology.
- Renovating or upgrading business premises.
Examples of admissible projects:
$ 150,000
Opening a second bakery storefront with modernized equipment
$ 150,000
Expanding an organic beverage line into new markets
$ 150,000
Purchasing an existing bookshop to expand business
$ 75,000
Renovating a local coffee shop for a modern look
$ 150,000
Investing in smart farming technology for UrbanVeg
$ 120,000
Starting a new eco-friendly cleaning service
Eligibility criteria of the Community Futures Alberta — Financial Supports program
Eligibility for financial support through Community Futures is guided by specific criteria designed to assist small businesses in rural Alberta.
- The applicant must be a small business or entrepreneur located in rural Alberta.
- The business may be starting up, buying an existing business, expanding into new markets, opening a franchise, investing in technology, or renovating.
- Applicants must be willing to engage with a local Community Futures office for guidance and support.
- Loan requests can be made for amounts up to $150,000.
Who is eligible?
The Community Futures Network of Alberta provides flexible business loans specifically for small business owners and entrepreneurs in rural Alberta. These loans are available for starting or buying a business, expanding into new markets, opening a franchise, investing in technology, or refreshing a business's appearance. The program is designed for those who need financial support to grow their business, with a particular focus on helping businesses that might not qualify for traditional loans. Therefore, eligible applicants must be small business owners or entrepreneurs operating or planning to operate in rural Alberta.
Eligible expenses
This grant focuses on providing financial support for various business activities, particularly for small businesses in rural Alberta. Eligible projects and activities under this grant include initiating new business ventures or enhancing existing operations.
- Starting a new business.
- Buying an existing business.
- Expanding into new markets.
- Opening a franchise.
- Investing in technology upgrades.
- Giving your business a facelift through renovations or updates.
Eligible geographic areas
This grant is specifically targeted at rural areas in Alberta, ensuring alignment with the regional development goals of Community Futures Alberta.
- Rural areas within Alberta, Canada.
Eligibility criteria of the Community Futures Alberta — Financial Supports program
There are evaluation and selection criteria for this grant.
- Flexible loan criteria
- Wide variety of loan options
- No hidden fees or penalties
- Competitive interest rate
How to apply to the Community Futures Alberta — Financial Supports program
1
Find Local Office
- Locate your nearest Community Futures office in rural Alberta.
- Contact the office to schedule a consultation or meeting with an advisor.
2
Consultation with Advisor
- Attend the scheduled meeting to discuss your business needs and goals.
- Gather information on available loan options and support services tailored to your situation.
3
Application Preparation
- Complete your business loan application with guidance from the advisor.
- Compile necessary documentation, such as business plans and financial statements, as required for the application.
4
Application Submission
- Submit your completed application and any supporting documents to your local Community Futures office.
- Ensure all forms are signed and properly filled out.
5
Follow Up
- Maintain contact with your advisor for updates on the status of your application.
- Be prepared to provide additional information if requested during the review process.
Additional information
Here are additional relevant details for this financial support program:
- Community Futures has over 30 years of experience in guiding entrepreneurs in rural Alberta.
- Offers free resources alongside loan and financial support.
- Access to training sessions and one-on-one business mentoring is provided.
Contact Prairies Economic Development Canada (PrairiesCan)
403-851-9995