Business Retention & Expansion initiative provides business support services to rural communities across Alberta. A previous ARDN Business Retention & Expansion project with Medicine Hat College showed that business support services available to rural communities were under-utilized, because business owners were too busy “working in” the business rather than “working on” it. To address the needs of rural businesses, Medicine Hat College business students were matched with small businesses to offer training, help address issues and solve problems. Under the supervision of College staff, these students helped small business owners develop and execute marketing plans for their businesses. We are working to expand this successful pilot project to other rural communities and their businesses, and also to provide similar supports to small communities. We are currently working with businesses in Glenwood, Bon Accord, and Fort Saskatchewan to create and implement business and marketing plans.
