Small Business Equipment and Technology

Thank you for your interest in the City of Fort Saskatchewan's Business Development Incentives Program. We are not currently accepting applications, but we will update this site as soon as new information becomes available. The Economic Development team will also share updates through our e-newsletter and social media channels.

For questions or further details, please email ecdev@fortsask.ca.

The Small Business Equipment and Technology Incentive encourages resident small business owners to invest in equipment and technology that will increase efficiency, productivity, and competitiveness for their business. 

Objectives

The program intends to achieve the following:

  • To increase the number of local businesses using equipment and technology to increase efficiency, productivity, and competitiveness
  • To increase long-term viability of local small businesses through investment in equipment and technology assets

Funding

The Incentive will cover up to 50% of eligible costs, to a maximum of $5,000 per asset*. For the purpose of this incentive, an asset will be defined as either a single piece of equipment or several components which form a technology system. The amount of the incentive will be based on the quality of information detailing how the asset will:

  • Increase efficiency
  • Increase productivity
  • Increase competitiveness
  • Provide return on investment

Eligibility

To be eligible for the Small Business Equipment and Technology Incentive:

  • Applicants must have a valid Resident Business Licence to operate within the City of Fort Saskatchewan
  • Applicants must have less than 50 employees
  • Applicants who are in arrears of municipal taxes or utilities for any owned property in Fort Saskatchewan will not be eligible
  • Applicants who have previously received a Business Development Program Grant from the City within the past 3 years will not be eligible. The lone exclusion is if they have received the Small Business Education Grant

FAQs

Am I required to use local contractors when applying for any of the Business Development Program Incentives?

No. While we encourage businesses to use other local business, we want to ensure that applicants have the ability to seek out the most competitive quotations for their projects.

I have a project that would qualify under two Incentives. Can I apply for both?

You are permitted to submit applications for more than one incentive; however, you would only be eligible to receive one incentive.

Can I receive more than one incentive?

Business owners and commercial property owners are only eligible to receive one incentive every three years. e.g. If you receive a grant in 2020, you would not be eligible for another grant until 2023.

The only exception is the Small Business Education Incentive. Recipients of a Small Business Education Incentive would be eligible for another Business Development Program Incentive; however, you would not be eligible for another Small Business Education Incentive for three years.

Are software licence fees eligible under the Small Business Equipment and Technology Incentive?

Yes, some software licence fees may be eligible; however, the fees would only be eligible for a period of 12 consecutive months.

Are computers eligible for the Small Business Equipment and Technology Incentive?

Computers may be eligible; however, it is critical for the applicant to demonstrate how the computers would be specialized for business and how the computers will increase efficiency, productivity, and competitiveness of the business.