Store in a small rural hamlet

[Pulseman]

Hello, I guess our (only) store is (again) in bad shape. Mostly because of lack of initiative from the owner. Is any info available what a store in a small villageneeds to have to survive? Any special loans and advise available?

[ALLFARMER]

Are you located in Alberta ? If the store is in a hamlet it is under the jurisdiction of your local county or municipal district, and they may have an economic development co-ordiantor that can give the storeowner advice on what might be necessary to be competitive with the stores in the larger centres. Of course the owner would have to be interested in asking for the advice.

The new Rural Development Initiative headed by MLA Doug Griffiths may have some advice or at least the information on where to get assistance if any is available. IF you are an Albertan, the store owner can call Doug's office and inquire as to where advice and assistance if any would be available.
I don't know of any grants to assist private businesses but there may be some low interest loans available.