Dail deBussac. (https://www.uncrampyourstyle.com/)

By Jeff D’Andrea

SMEDCO

SMEDCO providing COVID-19 funding to small Métis-owned businesses

Nov 8, 2021 | 9:32 AM

The SaskMétis Economic Development Corporation (SMEDCO) is giving $5.9 million of non-repayable funds to Métis owned microbusinesses and Community-owned businesses across the province.

The SMEDCO Community COVID Business Fund is intended to relieve the financial pressure small businesses have felt throughout the pandemic.

But according to Prince Albert business owner Dail deBussac, it’s done a lot more than that.

“It gives us hope,” deBussac said. “It gives us hope that we can go on.”

deBussac is a registered massage therapist who runs her practice, Uncramp Your Style Massage & Wellness, out of Prince Albert. When the pandemic started, her business was forced to shut its doors. She said she had to exhaust a lot of her savings to keep the business afloat.

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“COVID hit our business hard. When COVID hit, we couldn’t run our practice and to run a business that relies on customer service, we had a really hard time,” deBussac said.

Not only was there less (or no income at times) coming in, expenses also increased. Equipment and supplies needed to sanitize her facility and to keep customers and staff safe also ramped up.

The SMEDCO funds have helped businesses like deBussac continue to operate, but also help cover the extra safety expenses. In deBussac’s case, she has expanded her business’ online footprint, which has helped open up other revenue streams.

“This is fantastic news for us at SMEDCO. We are the only Métis Capital Corporation in Saskatchewan offering a full suite of financing solutions for Métis businesses since 1987. We understand how the fourth wave continues to impact Métis businesses. Now we can continue to provide non-repayable COVID financial support to Métis businesses that were unable to access other COVID funding,” said Tristan Zachow – Chief Executive Officer.

SMEDCO is the economic development hub for the Métis Nation-Saskatchewan (MN-S). Since our establishment in 1987, SMEDCO has been owned by the Métis Nation – Saskatchewan Secretariat Inc.

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Jeff.dandrea@pattisonmedia.com

On Twitter: @jeff_paNOW