The Drumheller and District Chamber of Commerce, along with the Town of Drumheller and Community Futures Big Country is pleased to announce the return of the Business Enhancement Grant Program for 2025, where up to $25,000 in funding will be available to assist local businesses in improving their facilities.
The Business Enhancement Grant Program aims to encourage local businesses to modernize and upgrade their buildings, contributing to the overall beautification of Drumheller. The grant offers financial support for exterior or interior renovations, covering up to 50% of the total project costs, with a maximum funding amount of $6,000 per business.
“This program is a valuable resource for businesses looking to invest in their properties, and we are proud to continue supporting our local business community. By providing this funding, we hope to help businesses thrive while enhancing the beauty and vibrancy of Drumheller,” said Heather Bitz, Executive Director of the Drumheller and District Chamber of Commerce.
As part of the grant program, applicants are required to source both labour and materials from local businesses holding a valid Drumheller business license. This ensures that local suppliers, contractors, and tradespeople benefit from the program, with some exceptions for materials unavailable in Drumheller.
“The Business Enhancement Grant is a fantastic opportunity for local businesses to make improvements that will not only benefit their operations but will also contribute to the ongoing success and growth of our community,” said Michael Love Executive Director of Community Futures Big Country.
“Over the years, the Business Enhancement Grant has played a significant role in the beautification and modernization of our local businesses. It also fosters a sense of community pride and encourages reinvestment in our town," said Drumheller CAO Darryl Drohomerski.
The program is now open for applications. The application deadline is February 14, 2025 For complete details, and to apply go to www.drumhellerchamber.com.

Town of Drumheller council gave third and final reading of its new Fire Bylaw 25.24 during its regular Monday, December 2, 2024 council meeting, which will include provisions to allow the Town to charge residential and commercial property owners for false alarms and for fire response in the event of emergencies.
The previous Fire Bylaw, which had been in effect since February 2007, required modernization and updating to meet the needs of the Drumheller community, which has changed substantially in the nearly 17 years since its passing.
“With the exponential increase in alarm systems being prevalent and 50 per cent of all calls are alarm related, there was a clear need to address nuisance calls for service,” explains Drumheller Fire Chief Derian Rosario.
In 2024, the Drumheller Fire Department responded to a total of 335 calls, including 171 alarms calls, accounting for more than half of all fire calls. According to the Town, the total false alarms cost an estimated $43,000 in staffing costs in 2024 alone.
Chief Rosario notes residential and commercial entities will not be charged on the first alarm call, and brochures will be provided with information outlining how to ensure alarm systems are operating correctly, as well as information about costs associated with repeat false alarms.
For residential properties, second false alarms will incur a fee of $250 with third and subsequent false alarms incurring a $500 fee within a one year calendar period; for commercial entities, this will increase to $500 for the second alarm, and $1,000 for third and subsequent false alarms thereafter.
As well as charging for false alarms, the Town will also begin to charge for recovery of costs of attending incidents such as structure fires.
“In most insurance plans there is protection for firefighting services,” explains Chief Rosario.
He notes the amount of coverage varies for each individual policy and provider, and encourages everyone to review their specific insurance coverage; in the event someone is without insurance, they could make a request to council for a reduction or complete write off of these charges, though this is at the discretion of council.
According to Town Communications officer Erica Crocker, approximately 11 firefighters respond per call, which equates to an estimated cost of $250 in staffing costs alone.