Town of Ponoka, Alberta

The Town of Ponoka has announced two new initiatives under its Business Retention and Attraction Program to help retain, support, and attract new businesses to the community.

New Business Grant

The New Business Grant offers a one-time-per-business grant payment of up $1000 for businesses that are new to Ponoka, reside and operate in the Town, and have not previously operated in the community.

To be eligible, the business must hold a valid 2021 Town of Ponoka business licence or be exempt from requiring a business licence. The application period for the New Business Grant begins January 1, 2021, and will continue until December 31, 2021.

The grants will be awarded on a first-come, first-serve basis with grant amounts varying according to the business licence type as follows:

• In-Town Commercial and Automotive business licence holders who lease a commercial property may be eligible for a $750 grant; or $1000 if they purchase the commercial property;
• In-Town Trades business licence holders may be eligible for $750;
• Home Business licence holders - $250;
• Home Office business licence holders - $100; and
• Home Catalogue Sales business licence holders - $50.

Commercial New Build Incentive

The Commercial New Build Incentive will offer property tax breaks to new or existing commercial businesses in the Town of Ponoka that build a new property (or demolish and build a new property) on commercially-zoned land in the Town.

Eligible businesses will receive the following reductions in their municipal property taxes over a three-year period, beginning the first year after the occupancy permit is issued:

• A 75% reduction in the municipal portion of their property taxes the first year;
• A 50% reduction the second year; and
• A 25% reduction in the third year.

The application period for the one-time-per-business Commercial New Build Incentive begins January 1, 2021, and will continue until December 31, 2022. If the owner sells the property during the three-year incentive program, the property tax credits will stay with the property and transfer to the new owner.

To apply for the New Business Grant, CLICK HERE.

To apply for the Commercial New Build Incentive, CLICK HERE.

Please email a copy of the completed application form to taxes@ponoka.ca or print a copy of the completed form and mail to:

Town of Ponoka
200, 5604-50 Ave.
Ponoka, AB, T4J 1G5

If you have any questions, please phone 403-783-0127 or email taxes@ponoka.ca.

To view News Release, click here.

Ponoka Town Council has approved a new $50,000 Hardship Grant that offers financial assistance to Ponoka businesses whose bottom lines are being hit hard by the COVID-19 pandemic.

The Hardship Grant is intended to help local businesses that have suffered significant financial losses due to COVID-19 impacts such as:

• Full or partial closure of their business due to a public health order;
• Permanent or temporary layoff of employees;
• Reduced business hours; and
• Decreased revenue.

The grant will be distributed amongst all eligible businesses that apply.  Eligible Businesses would include those that:

• Are significantly impacted by COVID-19;
• Physically reside in and plan to continue operating in the Town of Ponoka in 2021; and
• Hold an active 2020 business licence and plan on purchasing a 2021 business licence. 

For more information, please CLICK HERE.

If your business meets the eligibility requirements, please CLICK HERE TO APPLY.

Please email a copy of the completed application form to taxes@ponoka.ca or print a copy of the completed form and mail to:

Town of Ponoka
200, 5604 50 Ave.
Ponoka. AB, T4J 1G5

The deadline to apply is January 31, 2020.

If you have any questions,  please phone 403-783-0127 or email taxes@ponoka.ca.

To view News Release, please click here.