Support Local

The City of Calgary is committed to supporting local businesses by fostering connections, sharing valuable resources, and showcasing inspiring success stories. In 2019, we launched this free Support Local program to show appreciation for local businesses that significantly contribute to our economy and encourages Calgarians to shop locally, shaping their neighborhoods.

Now in its sixth year, the Support Local 2024 campaign celebrates the vital role local businesses play in shaping our neighborhoods and driving Calgary’s economy.

Learn how to participate in our parking contest

Get more insights, news and updates on how The City supports local businesses

Subscribe to Business Beat, the City of Calgary’s quarterly newsletter.

Discover and Support Calgary’s Local Businesses in 2024 with Erin Chrusch, Leader, Business & Local Economy

The Importance of Supporting Local Businesses with Jay Vaughan, President and Founder of Mountain Cultures

The Importance of Supporting Local Businesses with Brenda Ashton, CEO of Royale Round Cookies Company


5 reasons to support local yyc infographic

Campaign participants

#SupportLocalYYC Marketing Toolkit

Calgarians love supporting local businesses. These tools will hel​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​p them find you.

Download posters for your store window

Download digital banners for social media

Download #SupportLocalYYC images to use on social media posts:​

Support local campaign banner

Here’s what we’ve been up to

What are we doing?

  • Improving the journey from idea to opening a business in Calgary.
  • Making it easier for the Film industry to do business in Calgary.
  • Developing tools and online resources to assist businesses through their life-cycle.
  • Continually hosting webinars  on topics of interest to small businesses
  • Maintaining regular communication with the community and collaborative partners to gather insights and feedback.
  • Providing free one-on-one Digital Service Squad service to eligible small business across Calgary to adopt new technologies and embrace digital marketing.
  • Enabling researchers, developers, and companies to develop and test new applications and technologies in Calgary’s 5G Discovery Zone
Man in a bookshop holding books

Here’s what we’ve been up to

What's been done?

Man in a bookshop holding books
  • Created a #SupportLocalYYCcampaign to encourage Calgarians to support local businesses. As part of this, we also provided marketing resources for businesses so they too could promote buying locally.
  • Provided Canada's first virtual one window approach to permitting online. We offer live chat, saving business applicants time and money.
  • Approved pop-up and interim businesses in all commercial areas (another Canada first). This eliminates lengthy approval process and licensing restrictions. 
  • Created a Business and Local Economy team to support businesses by finding opportunities to simplify City processes, cutting down the time and cost to start a business, and promoting innovation.
  • Created the Business Experience Improvement Programto support people through the process to establish a small business. 
  • Created a ‘Living Lab’ program to open City of Calgary assets to companies and researchers, to test and try their ideas and products.
  • Created a Business Advisory Committee made up of members of the local business community.
  • Established a Film Friendly team to enhance services and support for the film industry, making Calgary a premier destination for film, TV, and digital media production.
  • Removed the requirement for a Development Permit in certain situations to make it easier for business owners to adapt their spaces to a new use.

Business Perspectives Panel

We do regular research with businesses to better understand the outlook and viewpoint of the business community. If you are a business owner, leader or manager, join our online business research panel, Business Perspectives.

Join the Business Perspectives Panel

Contact us

  • Call 311 or 403-268-CITY (2489) from outside Calgary​.
  • Business licensing and permits
    Live chat at calgary.ca/livechat
    Call 403-268-5311
  • Property assessment
    Call 403-268-2888
  • Business inquiry form
    Not seeing what you're looking for? Contact us.
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