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There is room to grow in Bashaw. There are plenty of opportunities for businesses to offer their products and services within Central Alberta and beyond. 

Are you considering starting or expanding your business in the Town of Bashaw? There are key steps that every entrepreneur and business should undertake to achieve success. Numerous local agencies and organizations are in place to help navigate those steps and provide support throughout the business development process. 

 

1. PRE-PLANNING

The first step in starting a new business. This is your "lightbulb" moment when your idea is formed. When deciding if you want to turn that idea into a business, remember to answer these important questions: 

  • What problem am I trying to solve and who are my competitors in that space? 
  • Will there be enough interest in my product or services to generate the profit required to make the time and effort I am putting into the business worthwhile?
  • Do I have the necessary finances available to cover my initial expenses like product development, permits, licenses, marketing etc.?
  • Starting a business requires a huge time commitment, am I willing to sacrifice my time to make this idea a reality? 
  • What are my goals and vision for this business?

Planning Tools:  

 

2. MARKET RESEARCH:

The key in ensuring your business concept is sound. Through market research, you learn more about your target market, competitors and industry trends. Further, this information will assist you in finding your niche in the market. Get started here:

Connect With Business Link's Market Research Experts

*Prior to starting your research, make sure to identify the NAICS Code that best represents your business. 

 

Bashaw Regional Dashboard

 

3.  BUSINESS PLAN DEVELOPMENT

Having a business plan in place at the beginning of the process. This document outlines your business idea and describes the activities, objectives, plans, goals and vision of your business. This document is a requirement if you intend to obtain financing for your startup or expansion: Start your business plan here:

As well, your financial institute will likely have a template available to assist in your business plan development  

 

4. SITE SELECTION

Many factors define the ideal location to open a business. Access to primary transportation routes, available servicing, zoning, utility providers and costs all affect the viability of a site. Make sure you verify what regulations may apply to your selected property in advance of purchasing or leasing by contacting the Town of Bashaw for assistance to locate Land Use Districting information.

Site Selection Tools:

 

Development & Planning

A Development Permit is needed for most new construction or changes of use to an existing property.  Development permits within the Town of Bashaw are governed by the Municipal Government Act (Part 17 – Division 5 Land Use) and the Land Use Bylaw 780-2018, whereby the Development Officer is authorized as the development authority. 

Section 624 of the Municipal Government Act requires a municipality to designate a development authority to exercise development powers and perform duties on behalf of the municipality.  The Town of Bashaw has established the CAO, Theresa Fuller as the development authority.  It is the Development Officer’s responsibility to review development proposals on behalf of the Town and make a recommendation based on the Bashaw Land Use Bylaw.

Before any construction can begin on a site, an application must be provided to the Development Officer for a Development Permit.  This ensures that the proposed structure or use conforms to the applicable regulations outlined in the Land Use Bylaw 780-2018 for that site.  Uses identified in each land use District are grouped into two development classifications to reflect the impacts or intensity of the proposed development or use:

Permitted Uses: are those that are considered to be the most appropriate for lands subject to a particular District. Section 642 (1) of the Municipal Government Act identifies that if a development permit application is made for a permitted use in a District, and if the proposed development conforms to all of the applicable regulations of the Land Use Bylaw, the Development Authority must issue the permit to the applicant.

Discretionary Uses: are those that may be considered appropriate on a particular site; however, depending on the nature of the application, and the type of development surrounding the site in question, a discretionary use may be deemed inappropriate for that site by the Development Authority, and the permit may not be approved. Section 642 (2) of the Act indicates that a municipality may issue a permit to an applicant for a discretionary use however it is not obliged to approve the development.

 

5. PERMITS & LICENSES

Regulatory permits, licenses and registrations may be required locally, provincially and federally for your business. Starting this process early is key to avoiding costly delays in opening your business. 

 

LOCAL PERMITS & LICENSES

Building, Planning, and Development Services are responsible for coordinating land use to ensure that growth and development occur in an organized, rational manner while maintaining and enhancing the constructed and natural environments which contribute to a high quality of life. This is accomplished through long-range plans (Municipal Development Plan, Area Structure Plans, etc.) and the Land Use Bylaw, Policies, Procedures, and Regulations. These approvals may include but are not exclusive of the following: 

Business Licenses
The Town of Bashaw does not require businesses to obtain licenses at a municipal level.

Development Permits
Any business carrying out any construction, renovations, excavation, stockpiling or other operation in, on, over, or under land, or the making of any change in the use or intensity of use of any land or building either permanently or temporarily may require a development permit.  

Land Use Re-Designation (Zoning) & Subdivision
Depending on the nature and intensity of your business operation and the current zoning of your property, you may be required to redesignate the land use of your property to a more suitable zone. 

Safety Codes Permits
 Any construction, alteration, repair, relocation, demolition or change of use of a building requires Safety Codes Permits in compliance with the Alberta Building Code. "Change of use" includes any building that is being changed from private access to public access. 

Associated Documents

 
 

PROVINCIAL PERMITS & LICENSES

 

Alberta Health Services

AHS regulates all businesses with public access, including those with a food component, personal services, social and health care services, recreation facilities, events, accommodations, playgrounds, education, and public housing. Check online or contact your local Environmental Health Inspector to determine what regulations apply to your business and determine what permits you may require. The Economic Development Department can assist you in contacting the Inspector for your specific location.  

Provincial Business License

In Alberta, some businesses such as Auctioneers, Home Inspections and Door to Door Sales require Provincial Business Licenses. Review the list online to determine if your business is included in this requirement.  

 

Alberta Environment & Parks 

According to the Environmental Protection and Enhancement Act (EPEA), you must obtain approval for certain land, water and air projects.

 

Alberta Transportation 

Policies, guidelines and permit requirements for development next to Alberta roads and highways.

 

Other Licenses and Registrations

 

FEDERAL PERMITS & LICENSES

 

6. ADDITIONAL BUSINESS SUPPORT SERVICES AND ORGANIZATIONS

The Government of Alberta   Business Supports page includes numerous resources for business, including:

Agri-Processing Business Resources include guides, reports, documents, and other resources for food and bio-processors starting or growing a business.


Find the most relevant funding, get expert, confidential start-up advice, training, and market research, and access the knowledge and tools you need to plan and grow your business with Business Link.

Business and Industry is the Government of Canada's portal to business taxes, permits and regulations, intellectual property, business support, and information on how to sell to the government.

 

Business Development Bank of Canada (BDC)  supports small and medium-sized businesses and Indigenous Entrepreneurs   in all industries and at every stage of growth with money and advice.

 

Alberta Innovates solves some of the biggest industry challenges by seeing beyond the possible. They   support research and business growth, and we help the start-up community build new technology and drive new ideas.

 

With the Canada Alberta Job Grant, eligible employers can get government funding to help employees and unemployed Albertans access training opportunities.

 

The Self-Employment Training offered by Business Works Central Alberta is a fully sponsored  26-Week Self-Employment (SE) Training program for eligible applicants that will address all aspects of business operations. The intent of this program is to ensure that new business start-ups have comprehensive business plans that are able to withstand challenging economic conditions and remain economically viable in the long term.

Business Works Central Alberta, Self-Employment Training