Western Economic Diversification Calgary office expansion means more services for small business

[CAWED]

_WESTERN ECONOMIC DIVERSIFICATION CALGARY OFFICE EXPANSION MEANS MORE
SERVICES FOR SMALL BUSINESS_

_CALGARY, Alberta – Western Economic Diversification Canada has
recently expanded its Calgary office operation to offer more services
to Calgary and southern Alberta small and medium-sized businesses. The
office, located on the fifth floor of the Standard Life Tower (639 - 5
Avenue S.W.) in the city’s downtown core, provides information,
resources and services to help entrepreneurs and small to medium-sized
businesses start a business, expand or help them succeed._

"Southern Alberta is one of the fastest growing business and
development areas in Canada, and Calgary is helping lead the way by
creating new, diversified opportunities in the West," said _Ron J.
Duhamel, Secretary of State for Western Economic Diversification_.
‘’The federal government is committed to providing Canadians
with access to the programs and services they need to expand their
opportunities and help our country’s economic growth. WD is proud
to play such an important role in helping western Canadians to build
their economic future."

WD’s Calgary office houses 10 staff dedicated to helping
entrepreneurs and small and medium-sized businesses. An additional 85
staff are located in the main Alberta office in _Edmonton_. WD also
has offices in _Vancouver, Saskatoon, Regina, Winnipeg _and_ Ottawa_,
and is the lead partner in the _Western Canada Business Service
Network (WCBSN)_, a network of over 100 economic development offices
and organizations across Western Canada that offer services and
programs to business.

Over the past year, WD client service professionals responded to over
5,600 inquiries for information and assistance from the Alberta small
business community. WD professionals provide advice on business
planning, contacts in government and industry, financing options and
information, guidance on government regulations, help with selling to
government, advice on exporting and information about WD’s own
specialized funding programs. All of its information and services are
free of charge.

WD also works with its WCBSN partners to ensure access to business
services and programs in virtually all areas of the province and are
available to groups with special needs. In _Alberta_, this network is
represented by 27 _Community Futures Development Corporations_ located
in rural areas; the _Alberta Women’s Enterprise Initiative
Association_ with offices in _Edmonton, Calgary_ and links to seven
other centers across the province; The _Business Link Business Service
Centre_ in _Edmonton_ and the _Calgary Business Information Centre_;
and the WD offices in _Edmonton_ and _Calgary_.

WD’s mandate is to help strengthen and diversify the western
Canadian economy, coordinate federal economic development activities
in the West and represent the interests of western Canadians in
national decision making. WD is part of the federal government’s
Industry portfolio, which focuses on helping Canadian businesses
fulfill their potential to innovate, grow and create jobs. By
providing advice, support and assistance to small and medium-sized
enterprises, WD contributes to the federal government’s job
creation strategy.

Small business owners and entrepreneurs can receive more information
about WD’s programs and services by calling (403) 292-5458.