On Our Way to Endless Opportunity On Our Way to Endless Opportunity | Page 14

Economic Development Agencies & Organizations
Partners
A number of agencies and organizations provide assistance and support for small business across Alberta.
Some of these groups overlap and provide services to the Partnership as part of a larger region.
Business Link
Business Link is Alberta’s entrepreneurial hub, a non-profit organization to help Alberta
entrepreneurs start their own businesses.
Services provided include advice and research, training and webinars, Indigenous services,
small business events, business tools and services.
Growth Alberta – Grizzly Regional Economic Alliance Society
Growth Alberta is a resource-based catalyst for its membership and stakeholders, building
capacity for success, enticing investment, fostering entrepreneurial innovation, and promoting
collaborative and strategic partnerships to encourage regional growth and sustainability.
Contributions to GROWTH Alberta are on a per capita basis.
Community Futures Yellowhead East
90 Community Futures organizations across western Canada, provide support to businesses,
and focus on creating jobs outside of major urban centres. Some of the Community Futures
Yellowhead East programs include: business loans, business coaching/training, and
Community Economic Development services.
EDA Alberta
Economic Developers Alberta (EDA) is Alberta’s leading economic development network.
For almost 45 years, EDA has been committed to advancing the economic development
profession by providing resources, professional development and networking opportunities.
As a non-profit organization, the association is governed by a volunteer board of directors that
represent the interests of our membership.
Economic Developers Association of Canada (EDAC)
The mission of the Economic Developers Association of Canada is to enhance the professional
competence of economic developers and ensure placement of highly professional and qualified
practitioners in the field of economic development.
To assist in achieving this mission the Association has developed a guide for the purpose of
assisting the practitioners understanding of the core competencies and their relationship in
the process of economic development. The guide (The Essentials of Economic Development
Practices, Principles and Planning) will also assist practitioners in performing their duties within
the profession and assisting in the preparation of the accreditation process.
Chamber of Commerce
An active Chamber of Commerce exists within the Town of Onoway and another operates in
Alberta Beach. Chambers of Commerce can be of great importance to small business, not only
offering reduced costs for banking and insurance, but serving as an excellent opportunity for
business networking and celebrating local business successes.
Sangudo & District Community Development Council (SDCDC)
SDCDC is a volunteer organization. It is comprised of dedicated individuals committed to
improving the community of Sangudo.
14 | On Our Way to Endless Opportunity: An Economic Roadmap