The City of Wetaskiwin is a designated Alberta Community for the Rural Entrepreneur Stream of the Alberta Advantage Immigration Program (AAIP).  This program is aimed at entrepreneurs who reside outside of Canada, interested in starting a business or purchasing an existing business in Wetaskiwin.

Basic Steps:

1. Interested Candidates read the AAIP terms and conditions as well as the eligibility criteria and complete a self-assessment: https://www.alberta.ca/aaip-rural-entrepreneur-stream-eligibility
2. Candidates provide the City of Wetaskiwin Economic Development Department a detailed Business Plan for review. (email: ecdev@wetaskiwin.ca) OR enquire about the current businesses opportunities available.   
3. Candidate to work with the Economic Development Department regarding an exploratory visit and update the business plan as necessary.  The exploratory visit provides you with the opportunity to meet with local business contacts, economic development officers from the community as well as any other prospective contacts to learn and understand the local business environment, and requirements to build a successful business in the community. The purpose of the exploratory visit is to assist you in making an informed decision about operating and managing a business in a rural Alberta community. Keep records of the trip, including any contacts and meetings, as this information is needed for the Exploratory Visit Report.
4. Candidate must complete a Rural Entrepreneur Stream Business Proposal Summary and if deemed a success, we will issue a support letter which the candidate submits along with their Expression of Interest (EOI) to the AAIP.
5. Candidates will work with the Government of Alberta and Canada for the nomination process and immigration processes.

Eligibility:

As per the AAIP, to be eligible for the Rural Entrepreneur Stream, candidates must meet the following criteria including but not limited to:

• must have a minimum of 3 years of experience as an active business owner or manager
• minimum of high school equivalent to the Canadian standard is also necessary at the time of application
• must have a minimum of 3 years of experience as an active business owner or manager
• minimum of high school equivalent to the Canadian standard is also necessary at the time of application
• minimum Canadian Language Benchmark level of 4 for each English language skill: reading, writing, listening and speaking
• minimum net worth of $300,000 where all assets are the candidate’s own personal holdings or that of their spouse
• minimum investment of $100,000 from candidate’s own equity.
• minimum ownership of 51% of a new business or 100% ownership for business succession

Please carefully review all of the eligibility requirements: https://www.alberta.ca/aaip-rural-entrepreneur-stream-eligibility 

Join us in shaping a thriving and dynamic rural business landscape in the City of Wetaskiwin. Your entrepreneurial spirit can make a significant impact, and we're here to help you every step of the way!   

Contact: Vern May, Manager of Economic Development for more information 

vern.may@wetaskiwin.ca