The following frequently asked questions represent typical questions
received by Community Futures Lethbridge.
What
grants and loans are available for new businesses?
Community Futures Lethbridge does not provide grants to businesses. Loan programs and
other financial assistance may be available. For more information on
the loan programs available
click here.
For information on finding Government Grants visit the following website:
Government Grants
How do I
start a business?Community
Futures Lethbridge
provides one-on-one business
assistance to help individuals who are interested in self-employment or in
expanding their business. A Business Planning Guide folder is
available at our office with a business plan template and useful
information for starting a business. Our Business Analyst can assist
you in answering questions on starting a small business.
There are many useful internet sites available. For more information
check these sites:
Business Tools and
Guides for Small Business Owners
Guide for Canadian Small Businesses
Canada Business Service Centres offer a wealth of information on business
planning and start-up, including a
Business Start-Up Assistant,
Interactive Business Planner
and
Online Small Business Workshop.
For more information visit the
CBSC
website.
How do I
register my business and find a registry agent near me?
Rules and regulations vary from province to province. For more
information, refer to:
Regulations for Small
Business
Alberta Government Site for business registration:
Alberta:
Corporate Registry
Alberta
Registry Agents
Federal Incorporation:
Small Business Guide to Federal Incorporation
What
communities does Community Futures Lethbridge provide loans to?
The
Community Futures Lethbridge Region encompasses a region including, but not limited
to, the City of Lethbridge, the County of Lethbridge, Coaldale, Raymond,
Magrath, Picture Butte, Stirling, Barons, Nobleford, Coalhurst, and the
Blood Band Reserve.
Where can I find information
about loan financing information outside of the Community Futures Lethbridge area?
Although
we will field questions from those outside of our coverage area, it is best
to consult the Community Futures Development Centre that serves your area.
Western Economic Diversification has provided a web site which will
determine where this centre is located. Please follow this
link
to determine the nearest Community
Futures office in your region.
Do you have information or loans for entrepreneurs with disabilities?
Community Futures Lethbridge
offers loans to persons with disabilities up to the amount of $150,000.
Contact our office for detailed information.
Do you have
information or loans for youth entrepreneurship?
Youth loans are available for up to $25,000 for entrepreneurs between the
ages of
18-29. Contact our office for detailed information.
How do
I find information for women on starting a business or obtaining
financing?
Community Futures Lethbridge
helps both men and women achieve their goal of operating a small business.
The Women's Enterprise Initiative also provides business information and
services specifically aimed at women entrepreneurs. For more
information visit the
Alberta Women Entrepreneurs
site.
How do I get a business number, business license and information on GST?
For general inquiries regarding Taxation
and to order information on the following: Business Number, Corporate
Income Tax, GST, Payroll Deductions, and Customs Registration:
Contact Lethbridge Tax Services Office
200, 419 – 7th Street South
Lethbridge, Alberta T1J 4A9
PHONE:
(403) 382-3013
Request
for forms 1-800-959-2221
TIPS –
Automated Tax Info 1-800-267-6999
Business
inquiries 1-800-959-5525
Refund
inquiries, including GST 1-800-959-1956
GST/payroll
deduction inquiries
1-800-661-7478
BUSINESS NUMBER:
This is a
number used by Revenue Canada to uniquely identify your business. The
number will be used to identify the company for corporate income taxes,
payroll deductions, goods & services tax (GST), and for any importing or
exporting the business may do. Visit the
Government of Canada
website for more information.
GOODS & SERVICES TAX (GST):
-
The business
must register for GST if gross revenues exceed $30,000 per year. You can voluntarily do so if your revenues are less than
$30,000
-
Registering
for GST allows the business to claim the GST it has paid on services,
materials, and supplies.
-
The GST
registration number and other information must appear on all sales
receipts and invoices.
-
GST registration forms for registration are available online.
-
For
information, or to order forms contact the Lethbridge Tax Services Office
(same address and phone number listed above).
Where
can I find market information and community profiles?
In Alberta, community information can be
found on these websites.
Alberta First
Alberta
- Business Information
Resources
Alberta Community Profiles
Where
can I find information on businesses in my province?
Industry Canada maintains information on businesses throughout Canada.
Where can I
find information on Aboriginal programs?
The WD Micro Loan Program is offered in cooperation with First Nations
Bank of Canada to improve access to financing for small businesses
starting or expanding in Western Canada. For more information,
please refer to:
The Aboriginal Business Services Network provides information and
resources for Aboriginal entrepreneurs to improve access to capital and to
establish or develop businesses. For more information, please visit:
Where can I find information on value-added farm diversification?
WD offers the Agricultural Value-Added Loan Program in cooperation with
the Farm Credit Canada. This program has been designed to benefit
small and medium-sized agricultural processors. For more
information, refer to:
Agricultural
Value-Added Loan Programs
For information on non-valued farm diversification, refer to:
Farm Credit Canada
