SMALL BUSINESS WEEK CELEBRATES SBLA PROGRAM’S 20TH ANNIVERSARY

The Saskatchewan Government today proclaimed Small Business Week, October 18-24. This year also marks the 20th anniversary of the Small Business Loans Association (SBLA) program.

More than 10,600 small businesses have been set up with funding from the SBLA program that has more than 200 associations across the province. The program which was started in 1989 has loaned out more than $69 million to small businesses in the province.

"We want to encourage more Saskatchewan residents interested in starting a small business to join the SBLA program and take advantage to funding provided," Enterprise Minister Ken Cheveldayoff. "Small businesses are the backbone of our economy as they create jobs and provide valuable services in many economic sectors of the province."

"The SBLA loan allowed us to increase inventory and offer customers a greater selection - which is imperative to our success," Small business owner Paula Woodhouse of The Giggle Factory said.

Small business is big business in Saskatchewan. Close to 96 per cent of businesses in our province are small businesses employing more than 140,000 people. These businesses contribute more than $3.3 billion to the Saskatchewan economy annually.

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For more information, contact:

Tim Tororey
Enterprise Saskatchewan
Regina
Phone: 306-787-5582
Email: tim.tororey@enterprisesask.ca