About the Initiative

Nearly all businesses are impacted by tariffs and supply chain disruptions, which often affect local costs, supplier delays, customer decisions, contracts, hiring plans, and day-to-day operations.

That’s why we’re building Business Forward, a 2-year government-funded regional initiative that helps businesses understand these pressures, prepare for change, and strengthen their operations and workforce.

Using a phased approach, the venture will gather local evidence, share what businesses are experiencing, and turn those findings into useful tools and learning opportunities. 

hands at a laptop selecting a checkbox on an online assessment questionnaire hands at a laptop selecting a checkbox on an online assessment questionnaire

business forward

Phase 1: Be Part of the Research

Help build a clear picture of what regional businesses are experiencing by participating in our research, which includes:

  • A regional business survey
  • 30 to 40 in-depth business interviews
  • Analysis of regional and industry information

Survey responses will help identify common pressures, overlooked impacts, effective adaptations, and the types of support most useful to businesses in the region. Interview participants will be selected to ensure a diverse mix of industries, communities, experiences, and business sizes. 

Join the Mailing List Take the Business Survey Apply for an Interview Learn About the Research

Project Progress

Current Phase check_circle

Phase 2 

Phase 3

Phase 4

Phase 5
Research preparation and recruitment Research and regional business input Findings and engagement sessions Business self-assessment Toolkit, final findings, and regional knowledge sharing 

A Phased Approach

Business Forward is progressing through 5 phases, each one building on what regional businesses tell us. 

Regional research will identify how tariff pressures and supply chain disruption are affecting business operations, workforce stability, and decision-making.

Take the Survey Apply for an Interview

Regional in-person and virtual sessions where we share research findings, help businesses understand what the findings mean for them, and introduce practical ways to respond.

Stay tuned for our launch in spring 2027.

A practical self-assessment will help businesses identify operational and workforce risks, areas of strength, and priorities for action. 

Stay tuned for our launch in early 2027.

A selected group of regional businesses will receive structured, group-based support to apply practical workforce and operational tools inside their organizations. 

Stay tuned for launch in mid 2027.

The final toolkit will make the project’s research, templates, assessment resources, and practical guidance available to the wider business community. 

Stay tuned for launch in late 2027.

Productive Partnerships

This project is delivered through a regional partnership led by Northwestern Polytechnic’s Side Centre for Entrepreneurial Excellence, in collaboration with the Grande Prairie & District Chamber of Commerce and Community Futures Grande Prairie & Region.

 

The Governments of Canada and Alberta logos featuring the heading Funded in part by the Government of Canada through the Canada-Alberta Workforce Tariff Response Agreement.

Get in Touch