Economic Development.

Small Business Development

The Small Business development portion of Piikani Economic Development is responsible for promoting and supporting small businesses for Piikani Nation members.

Piikani Economic Development provides the following supports:

  • Entrepreneur Training; you can register for upcoming training by clicking here (Link invalid, needs to be changed)
  • Support for existing business, including workshops, a resource centre, and other capacity-building activities
  • Referrals for funding and other resources to external agencies, including the Alberta Indian Investment Corporation (AIIC),The Women Entrepreneurs-in-STEM/ (WESTEM), Community Futures Treaty Seven, and The Regional Innovation Network of Southern Alberta

Piikani Nation Grant Equity Program(GEP)

  • Piikani Resource Development Ltd. provides small business grants to Piikani Nation members who wish to start up a business or expand their current business.
  • Two intakes per year: January and June (The date may vary every year)
  • GEP provides five types of funding: Regular Small Business grant, Emergency business grant, Elders’ Business grant, Community development grant, Youth grant

Eligible Criteria for all Grants:

  • Piikani Nation Member or Qualified Business owned by Piikani Nation Member;
  • Piikani Nation Member and/or sole proprietorship, has an identifiable structure;
  • Purpose demonstrated that the Grant Qualified Business or the expansion of an existing qualified Business.
  • Is engaged for-profit activities.
  • Can demonstrate financial sustainability.
  • The Grant to lever additional financing from other conventional financing sources or to purchase capitol assets;
  • To receive a Grant more than $5000.00, a business plan that clearly defines goals and objectives, and identifies achievement of goals and objectives;
  • For a Grant to expand a Business that has been funded through a prior grant, the total amount of the Grant will not exceed 50% of the total cost of capital assets required for expansion;
  • For a Grant to expand a business that has been funded through a prior Grant, as system in place to monitor and evaluate results to determine if there’s compliance with the goals and objectives identified in the business plan;
  • Has an operating budget and/or financial plan that clearly defines revenues and expenses and, where necessary, provides for a capitol budget;
  • Other sources of financial support from potential investors, financial institutions and from governments other than Piikani Nation.

Completed application Checklist:

  • Application form
  • Business Plan (Including Marketing plan and Financials)
  • Proof business is Piikani owned
  • Projected timeline and budget (include dates of business/project/initiative)
  • Resume of Owners
  • Proof applicant has contributed
  • Copy of quotes from suppliers
  • Samples of Marketing
  • Proof of entrepreneurial Training or equivalent

Ineligible Use of Grants: :

  • You can not use the grant for illegal activities or businesses
  • You can not use the grant for Operations that may result in breach of the law
  • You can not use the grant for passive investments, residential real estates transactions and consumer financial services
  • You can not use the grant Mult-level marketing
  • You can not use the grant to pay outstanding debts
  • You can not use the grant for reimbursements for items already purchased
  • You can not use the grant for technology purchases must be shown to be an integral part of the business operations

If you are an entrepreneur looking to learn more about growing your business, interested in training, and or require assistance with your application. Please Contact us!

gep@prdl.ca