Community Futures Yellowhead East

10/20/2026

This has been such a great opportunity to join forces with the Exit Navigator Program.

10/20/2026

10/20/2026

Learn more about Job Order Contracting 101: Foundational Info for Contractors and other upcoming events with Gordian.

10/20/2026

Building Businesses (and a Future) Close to Home

Whitecourt has always been home for Candace Kucharchuk. So when she saw a need for reliable local transportation, she didn’t just recognize a business opportunity - she saw a way to provide a service her community needed.

Four years ago, Candace had the idea for Candy’s Cabs, but turning that idea into a business meant navigating business planning, cash flow projections, startup costs and financing for the first time. That’s when she turned to Community Futures Yellowhead East.

CFYE helped Candace develop her business plan and projections, provided startup financing, and became a source of ongoing guidance as the business grew. Today, Candy’s Cabs has three cabs, a Hummer limousine and nine employees serving Whitecourt and area.

And that first business was only the beginning.

When Candace saw another local need - this time for dog daycare - she returned to Community Futures to help launch a business built around a lifelong passion. Candy’s Canine Club opened in September 2026 with CFYE financing and support and has already created two more jobs.

Today, Candace’s two businesses support 11 local jobs.👏

“Their belief in me has given me the confidence to pursue my goals and turn my ideas into businesses I’m proud of. Knowing I have people to turn to who care about my success has made a real difference.” (Candace Kucharchuk)

For Candace, building a business has always been about more than entrepreneurship. It’s about building something meaningful in the community she calls home.

10/19/2026

Small Business Week is all about celebrating the people with ideas, courage and determination to build something of their own.

This past Saturday, CFYE Executive Director Michelle Jones had the opportunity to connect with aspiring and established entrepreneurs at the Whitecourt & Area Women’s Conference.

Michelle facilitated a workshop on Starting a Side Hustle, sharing practical ideas for turning a skill, passion or opportunity into extra income - and potentially something even bigger.

She also joined a panel of small business owners to talk about the realities of entrepreneurship, share experiences and answer questions from women considering their own business journey.

At Community Futures Yellowhead East, we love seeing people explore what’s possible - whether that means starting a side hustle, launching a new business or growing one that’s already underway.

Small businesses start with ideas. We’re here to help people figure out what comes next.

Happy Small Business Week!

10/15/2026

BIG PROJECTS can create BIG opportunities for SMALL businesses.

A new BDC study estimates that Canada's upcoming major projects could generate $443 billion in economic activity for small and medium-sized businesses - requiring the participation of approximately 280,000 Canadian companies.

And here's the important part:
➡️Your business doesn't have to be building the project to benefit from it.

Major projects need suppliers: Contractors, Transportation, Equipment, Fabrication, Maintenance, Accommodations, Food services, Professional services, And much more.

But sometimes being ready for a bigger opportunity requires an investment first.

You might need:
🔧 New or additional equipment
🚚 Another vehicle
👷 More employees
🏢 Additional space
📦 More inventory or working capital
💻 New technology or systems
📋 Certifications or other preparations to qualify for larger contracts

That's where Community Futures Yellowhead East may be able to help.

CFYE provides flexible business financing to help rural businesses start, strengthen and grow - including investments that can help an existing business increase its capacity and take advantage of new opportunities.

So here's a question worth asking:
➡️If a bigger opportunity came your way tomorrow, would your business be ready?
If the answer is “almost - but we'd need to invest first,” let's talk.

Sometimes the next opportunity isn't a new customer walking through your door.
It's becoming part of a much bigger supply chain.

👉 Talk to CFYE about business financing and what it could help you move forward.

10/14/2026

Time is running out to get your tickets for this year's L.I.F.T tickets. It's going to be a great event!

Only a few days left to get tickets to this year's LIFT Business Conference!

Join us on October 22 at Barrhead's premier conference for local businesses! Your ticket includes:
• Expert-led keynote sessions & hands-on workshops
• Panel discussion with insights from local businesses on key issues
• Business support showcase highlighting supports available to business owners
• Networking & collaboration with businesses & service providers

Tickets on sale until Oct 16, 2026. Learn more at www.countybarrhead.ab.ca/p/lift

10/13/2026

Teaming up on a start-up? Try collaborating as a co-operative! Co-operatives First's online course will give you the tools you need to take your co-op from an idea to an investment-ready business. Plus, pitch your idea for a chance to win $15,000 in business support for your co-op.

Learn more: https://cooperativesfirst.com/team-up-on-a-start-up-contest/

10/13/2026

🌾 🐄FUNDING OPPORTUNITY | Could you add more value to what you already produce?

For Alberta farmers and producers, growth doesn't always mean producing more.
Sometimes the opportunity is in adding more value to what you're already producing.

Alberta's On-Farm Value-Added Program is currently accepting applications to help primary producers develop or expand value-added activities on their farms.

That could mean exploring opportunities to process, package, market or otherwise increase the value of agricultural products before they leave the farm.

💰 Funding of up to $250,000 may be available for eligible projects.

📅 Application deadline: November 9, 2026

If you've been thinking about diversifying your farm operation, developing a new product, reaching a different market or creating another revenue stream, this program may be worth exploring.

And remember - funding is only one part of a successful expansion.

Before investing, it's important to understand the market, costs, cash flow, financing needs and whether the opportunity makes sense for your operation.

‼️That's where Community Futures Yellowhead East can help.

We don't administer this grant, but we can help you work through the business side of a new opportunity - from planning and cash flow to financing and growth.

👉 Learn more: Alberta On-Farm Value-Added Program https://www.alberta.ca/value-added-program

👉 Have an idea you'd like to explore? Start a conversation with CFYE.
Sometimes the next opportunity is already growing on your farm. 🌱


🐄🐄

10/09/2026

𝗕𝗲𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗮𝗻 𝗘𝘃𝗮𝗰𝘂𝗲𝗲: 𝗪𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝗬𝗼𝘂 𝗡𝗲𝗲𝗱 𝘁𝗼 𝗞𝗻𝗼𝘄

Woodlands County is hosting two FREE drop-in sessions facilitated by Alberta Emergency Management Agency (AEMA), to help residents understand what to expect before, during, and after an evacuation.

You’ll learn:
◦ The difference between an evacuation alert and an evacuation order
◦ What supports may be available through Emergency Social Services (ESS)
◦ Why registering as an evacuee is important
◦ How to prepare a 72-hour emergency kit
◦ Tips for creating a household evacuation plan

Gain practical knowledge and resources to help you and your family feel more prepared when emergencies occur.

Alberta Wildfire, FireSmart Alberta, and Fortis Alberta will be there with additional information and resources.

📅 Tuesday, October 27
🕔 6:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m.
📍 Topland Hall, 71045 Hwy 658, Woodlands County

📅 Wednesday, October 28
🕔 6:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m.
📍 Forestry Interpretive Centre, Whitecourt, AB

No registration required.
Contact Woodlands County for more information: 780-778-8400