CELEBRATING 20 YEARS OF SMALL BUSINESS SUPPORT

Enterprise Saskatchewan Minister Ken Cheveldayoff will present awards to volunteers of the Small Business Loans Associations (SBLA) as part of the program's 20th anniversary celebration event to be held in Regina this evening.

The SBLA program is a community-run initiative that provides financing to small business in the province. The program has helped to create or maintain 10,000 jobs since 1989.

"Tonight we will honour the men and women who have been volunteers on association boards over the last two decades," Cheveldayoff said. "This program has been very successful, creating jobs, and providing opportunities, that would not have been possible without the hard work and diligence of volunteers."

The SBLA program has provided $70 million in funding to more than 10,000 businesses in the last 20 years. There are currently 206 SBLAs in operation in the province.

"The SBLA program represents community economic development at its best, and we want to thank all of those who have been involved," Cheveldayoff said.

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For more information, contact:

Deb Young
Enterprise Saskatchewan
Regina
Phone: 306-787-6315
Email: Deb.Young@enterprisesask.ca