Northern Research Group Inc.

Are you a Métis small/micro business owner in La Loche or Buffalo Narrows area? Has your business been impacted by COVID but you have been unable to access business support programs? We will be taking in applications and answering your questions about SMEDCO's Métis small/micro business COVID fund in La Loche on October 28th and Buffalo Narrows on October 29th.... We have teamed up with SMEDCO to provide consulting supports to Métis small/micro businesses such as home-based businesses, sole proprietorships, small family-based businesses, fishermen, and harvesters. To access the application or find out more about the services available and eligibility requirements visit the Community Covid Business Fund page on the SMEDCO website at smedco.ca/covid-business-fund/ If you would like to drop off an application with NRG on the dates above please contact Kyle Thomas-Hustej at 306-281-3907 or [email protected]

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE - We are proud to announce we are partnering with SaskMetis Economic Development Corp. to deliver consulting services to Métis communities whose business activities and economic growth have been negatively impacted by COVID-19. Funding for the initiative has been provided through SMEDCO’s COVID-19 business relief partnership with Indigenous Services Canada. Details regarding the consulting supports available to Métis communities and application forms can be found at https://smedco.ca/covid-business-fund/

Happy Small Business Week To all the small business owners out there!!Happy Small Business Week To all the small business owners out there!!

This morning the Federal Government announced it will be expanding the eligibility criteria for the Canada Emergency Business Account (CEBA). Businesses that have a payroll lower than $20,000 may now be eligible. To qualify under the expanded eligibility criteria, applicants with payroll lower than $20,000 would need: -a business operating account at a participating financial institution... -a Canada Revenue Agency business number, and to have filed a 2018 or 2019 tax return. -eligible non-deferrable expenses between $40,000 and $1.5 million. Eligible non-deferrable expenses could include costs such as rent, property taxes, utilities, and insurance. This means sole owner-operators, a business that relies on contractors, and family-owned businesses that pay employees through dividends may now be eligible. The CEBA can provide $40,000 in interest-free loans to eligible small businesses including non-profits. Talk to your financial institution for more information! https://www.ctvnews.ca//feds-expanding-covid-19-loan-eligi

This morning the Federal Government has announced it will be extending the Canada Emergency Wage Subsidy (CEWS) past June. This program provides a 75% wage subsidy to businesses that have been impacted by COVID-19. More details to come. https://www.canada.ca//services/subsidy/emergency-wage-sub

We’re looking forward to hearing more about Saskatchewan’s new stimulus plan and are hopeful that this plan will provide more support for Saskatchewan businesses. We’ll be tuning in, will you?

Do you generate rental revenue from commercial real property located in Canada? You may be eligible for the Canada Emergency Commercial Rent Assistance (CECRA) for small businesses. CECRA for small businesses provides financial assistance to commercial property owners that have entered or will enter into a rent reduction agreement with their impacted small business tenants from April June 2020. Through CECRA, commercial property owners can receive a forgivable loan that co...vers 50% of the gross rent owed by impacted small business tenants during the 3-month period of April, May and June 2020. To find out more on eligibility and how to apply, follow the link below: https://www.cmhc-schl.gc.ca//finance-and-investing/covid19 #CECRA #businessadvice #businesssupport

If you are an existing business that had over $20,000 in payroll in 2019, you may be eligible for a $40,000 loan through the Canadian Emergency Business Account (CEBA). To access the CEBA you will need contact your business's primary financial institution. The Government of Canada has also introduced funding to support Indigenous businesses. The funds will be distributed through Saskatchewan's Indigenous Capital Corporations and development funds, such as SMEDCO and CCDF. Th...e modified guidelines for eligibility will make it easier for Indigenous entrepreneurs and community developers to access the $40,000 loans. Below are links to the online applications and program information for banks, credit unions, and indigenous financial institutions that are offering business relief loans on behalf of the Federal Government. TD https://www.forms.td.com/app/ceba/#/ceba/ceba-form RBC https://www.rbc.com/covid-19/business.html BMO https://www.bmo.com/small-business/financial-relief-loc/ Scotiabank https://www.scotiabank.com//supporting-our-customers-is-ou CIBC https://www.cibc.com//business/advice-centre/covid-19.html Conexus Credit Union https://www.conexus.ca//mobi/AboutConexus/News/COVID/CEBA/ Affinity Credit Union https://affinity-ceba-application.azurewebsites.net/ Indigenous financial institutions SMEDCO http://www.smedco.ca//MetisEmergencyCapitalAssistanceProgr CCDF https://clarencecampeau.com/indigenous-business-funds/ Follow us for more updates!

Today Employers can apply for Canada Emergency Wage Subsidy (CEWS)!! Follow the link below to the application page: https://www.canada.ca//emergency-wage-/cews-how-apply.html

Métis NationSaskatchewan is pleased the federal government recognizes the economic hardships faced by many Métis business operators in the province by includin...g Indigenous business in COVID-19 emergency supports. SaskMétis Economic Development Corporation (SMEDCO) will be administering the MNS portion of the $305 federal commitment through the Metis Emergency Capital Assistance Program - MECAP. That means Métis businesses may be eligible for up to $40 thousand in an emergency loan to assist with working capital and operating expenses. SMEDCO is accepting applications now on its website at smedco.ca or by calling 306-477-4350. Guidelines are being finalized and will be released shortly. Application available here http://www.smedco.ca//MetisEmergencyCapitalAssistanceProgr http://www.smedco.ca/metis-emergency-capital-assistance-pr/ See more

Beginning April 27, applications will be open for the Canada Emergency Wage Subsidy. If your business has been affected by COVID-19, you may be eligible for the Canada Emergency Wage Subsidy. The subsidy will cover 75% of employee wages for up to 12 weeks, retroactive from March 15, 2020, to June 6, 2020. This will enable you to rehire employees that were laid off due to COVID-19, help keep current employees on, and better position your business to resume normal operations f...ollowing the crisis. For more information and how to apply, follow the link below: https://www.canada.ca//services/subsidy/emergency-wage-sub

Earlier today the Federal Government announced focused supports for Indigenous businesses. We are hopeful that these programs will provide meaningful support for the Indigenous businesses and communities that we serve. Information related to the specific programs is limited at the current time, but we continue to monitor the situation and will provide updates as program details are released. https://pm.gc.ca//prime-minister-announces-support-indigen

Yesterday the Federal Government announced that it has expanded the eligibility for businesses that want to access The Canada Emergency Business Account (CEBA). Now, if your total payroll in 2019 was between $20,000 and $1.5 million you may be eligible. The CEBA can provide $40,000 in interest-free loans to eligible small businesses including non-profits. Talk to your financial institution or check out the link below for more information!... https://www.canada.ca//business-credit-availability-progra See more

This morning Cameco announced a $1 Million COVID Relief Fund for Saskatoon and northern Saskatchewan. Through this fund grants will be awarded to charities, not for profits, town offices and First Nation band offices that have been impacted by COVID-19. Grant recipients can receive up to $50,000! Deadline to apply is April 28, 2020!! Click the link below for more information on eligibility and how to apply:... https://www.cameco.com/community/stories/relief-fund

More financial support for small businesses! The Province of Saskatchewan has introduced the Saskatchewan Small Business Emergency Payment Program (SSBEPP) to provide financial assistance to small business that were ordered to temporarily close or curtail their operations because of COVID-19. Eligible businesses can receive up to $5,000. To learn more and access the application follow the link below:... https://www.saskatchewan.ca//saskatchewan-small-business-e

If you are an existing small businesses that had $50,000 - $1,000,000 in operating payroll in 2019, you may be eligible to access The Canada Emergency Business Account (CEBA). The CEBA is able to provide $40,000 in interest-free loans to eligible small businesses including non-profits. Talk to your financial institution or check out the link below for more information! https://www.canada.ca//business-credit-availability-progra

Today the Federal Government changed the eligibility criteria for The Canada Emergency Wage Subsidy. If you have experienced a 15% decline in revenues in March 2020 due to COVID-19, you may be eligible for the 75% wage subsidy! Hit the link here to find out more: https://www.canada.ca//economic-response/wage-subsidy.html

Today the Government of Canada announced that all businesses experiencing a 30% decline in revenues will be eligible for the Wage Subsidy Program. That is, the federal government will cover up to 75% of a salary on the first $58,700, which could mean payments of up to $847 a week. More details to come tomorrow! https://www.cbc.ca//trudeau-covid19-business-supports-1.55

We understand that COVID-19 will have an impact on your business. NRG Inc., Métis Nation-Saskatchewan, and SMEDCO are here to help. That is why we have worked together to develop Ten Strategies to Help Your Business Make It Through the Economic Storm. https://metisnationsk.com//strategies-to-help-saskatchewa/

Unsure of all the changes to Employment Standards? Employment Standards is hosting a webinar today and tomorrow about their recently announced provisions. Follow the link here to register for the webinar. https://www.saskatchewan.ca//covid-/support-for-businesses

As a restaurant owner, have you taken the correct steps to reduce the spread of coronavirus? Here are some resources that can help. https://www.restaurantscanada.org//navigating-coronavirus/

Is your business growing rapidly?? Here are four strategies that can help manage that growth!!

Have you ever wondered why some businesses are easier to find on Google than others? Google uses a complex algorithm that ranks search results based on your website content and the users search criteria. If you’re doing your own website and want to increase your ranking so you can be found easier on Google (I.e. enhance your SEO) you can learn more here.... Want more Marketing Tips? Call NRG today!! #GoogleBusinessTips #BusinessConsulting #BusinessAdvice https://www.google.com/search/howsearchworks/algorithms/

Yesterday the Bank Of Canada cut its key lending rate by half a percentage point. As a business owner, what does this mean for you? Mortgage rates Typically the bank’s mortgage rates will vary with the Bank of Canada’s rate. So, a drop of half a point will result in lower mortgage rates. That is, if you were to get a $450,000 mortgage on a building today, a shift from a 2.6 variable rate to 2.1% would result in $115 savings per month or $1,380 per year!... Lines of credit Banks usually adjust their interest rates on lines of credit with the Bank of Canada’s interest as well. So, a decrease could also mean more savings on your line of credit! Read more here

Are you looking for ways to become more productive? Making small changes to your daily routine can help make your life easier in the long run. Check out these 22 microhabits that can change your life!!