Other services include faxing, photocopying, business cards & sign development, laminating, resume help, job search help, and FREE Internet access.

Programs

  Helping people help themselves is the aim of our many programs. Click on the links below to learn more.

• Investment Fund Loan Program
• Entrepreneurs with Disabilities Program
• Western Youth Entrepreneur Program (ages 18-29)
• I Want to be a Millionaire Youth Program (ages 12-18)

Investment Fund Loan Program

The Community Futures Elk Island Region designed to assist in the start-up, expansion and maintenance of small businesses in rural communities who are unable to get financing through conventional means.

In order to qualify for a loan through the Community Futures Elk Island Region a business must be:

• viable and have a strong financial plan
• based within our region, which includes the County of Lamont, County of Minburn, County of Two Hills, and Strathcona County (excluding Hamlet of Sherwood Park and City of Fort Saskatchewan)
• turned down by at least 2 other financial institutions

Our organization has a lending limit of $125,000 with no minimum amount.  We lend at competitive interest rates of commercial bank prime rate plus 2 % (at a minimum of 6%).  Loan application fees apply to every approved loan regardless of the loan amount.

Entrepreneurs with Disabilities Program Guidelines:

Objective:

To foster self-employment among individuals with mental or physical disabilities and to assist in the development of the individual's entrepreneurial business skills.

Assistance:

Assistance consists of a repayable interest-bearing loan of up to $75,000, for start up costs, expansion or maintenance of their own businesses, as well as the provision of on-going business counseling and training.

Eligibility: 

The program is directed at individuals wanting to start their own business, who require special needs support.   Specifically, the individual must meet the following qualifications:

In the opinion of the Community Futures Elk Island Region, the individual's disability, due to physical or mental impairment, must be long term and limit their ability to perform at least one of the basic activities of self-employment or entrepreneurship.

• Must be a minimum of 18 years of age.
• Must be an Albertan, residing in the Community Futures Elk Island Region
• All business operations must originate in Alberta.
• Must have a solid business idea with a documented business plan.
• Must have an intense desire to start their own business and a commitment to its long-term operation.
• Must demonstrate reasonable management capability.

Western Youth Entrepreneur Program

This program provides financial assistance to youths who are interested in starting their own business.  Through it you can recognize and pursue your entrepreneurial goals and start a business.  The program is designed to provide you with services such as:

• Helping develop business plans
• Mentoring and counseling in business development and operation
• Access to small business loans

Who is eligible? If you live in a rural western Canadian community and are between the ages of 18 and 29 you may be eligible for support.  As an interested applicant, you should have a creative business idea or plan, and:

• want to shape your future and make the most of your talents
• be looking for an opportunity to invest in yourself and in your community
• be interested in financial independence.

Where can you apply? Applications to the program can be made at the Community Futures Elk Island Region located in Two Hills, Alberta.

Experienced staff can help you develop your business venture.  They understand small business, the local marketplace and can provide advice and mentoring to help you find, create and seize new opportunities for self-employment.

What loans are available? The program provides eligible young entrepreneurs who are unable to obtain financing from traditional lenders, access to:

• loans up to $25,000
• terms tailored to specific needs
• loans repayable at competitive interest rates

What other services are available? A world of resources is at your fingertips.  Over 100 points of service are available across the west through the Western Canada Business Service Network.   Members include: WD, CFDCs, Canada Business Service Centers and Women's Enterprise Initiative offices.

The Community Futures Elk Island Region can connect you with network members to access additional information on:

• export and trade
• other loan programs
• selling to government markets
• other government products, services and support programs

If you would like more information, call the Community Futures Elk Island Region at (780) 657-3512, or click on the "Contact Us" link on the left for other ways to reach us.

I Want to be a Millionaire Youth Program

A program designed for those early starting entrepreneurs, the Millionaire Program is designed for youth ages 12-18.

The kids are given basic business training to help them start their business projects. Projects can include any business idea that they would like to start. Ideas used in the past include yard work, pet care, lemonade stands, etc...