The City of Grande Prairie, County of Grande Prairie and Grande Prairie and District Chamber of Commerce have launched a joint taskforce to support businesses throughout the COVID-19 pandemic.

The partners are meeting daily as the situation and business needs rapidly evolve. The co-ordinated regional response is aimed at business and economic recovery and will be introducing new initiatives as needs emerge.

Local business owners are invited to attend the first webinar being hosted by the joint taskforce this Friday, March 27 from 12:00 p.m. to 1:00 p.m. It will feature an interview style conversation between Tom Pura from the Chamber, and Holly Sorgen of Community Futures on what supports are available for small and medium sized businesses and what actions they can/should be taking in response to the pandemic. Registration for the Building Resiliency Through COVID-19 webinar is available through Eventbrite.

Starting today, the taskforce is also launching a social media campaign to support local business. Show them how you are supporting local using #LoveLocalGP in your post and tag the business you are supporting when possible to be entered into a weekly draw to win 1 of 4 Chamber Cheques valued at $100 each.

Each unique post will also receive a ballot into the grand prize draw of a $1,500 Chamber Cheque or one of the runner up prizes. Chamber Cheques can be spent at any member businesses. Posts must be public to be entered to win. Follow the Grande Prairie and District Chamber of Commerce on Facebook for more details.

Up-to-date information and resources for businesses during the pandemic can be found at grandeprairiechamber.com/covid-19-business-resiliency/.