Whitecourt Launch Program delivers in a big way 

By Serena Lapointe

Since 2023, the Whitecourt Launch Program has been putting impactful dollars into the
hands of community entrepreneurs as they start new ventures or upgrade current ones.
The program, which resembles the TV shows Dragon’s Den and Shark Tank, enables
entrepreneurs to pitch their ideas to the Economic Development Committee for a
chance at up to $10,000.
The inaugural winner in 2023 was TimberChic Designs, followed by The Turn Indoor
Golf and Lounge in 2024, and Whitecourt Manual Osteopathy in 2025. This year, the
Economic Development Committee received nine applications. The committee had a
big task. Members had to take several things into account, including the applicant’s
business plan, the feasibility and readiness of the business, as well as its long-term
sustainability.
The committee also had to decipher how the new business or upgrade would work in
the community, breaking down the need, market gap, and economic impact it would
have. Was the business innovative? That was another question the group had to mull
over, as well as the impact it would have as a forward-facing business and how it would
enhance the community, among other factors.
On June 16, the committee heard the pitches from the four applications that had passed
the process to that point. During the June 22 Town Council Meeting, Rhonda Woods,
Economic Development Officer, explained that four of the original nine applicants didn’t
meet the baseline scoring matrix, and that one other application was more suited to a
different municipal grant, and the applicant was encouraged to apply for that instead.
One of the neatest things about the Whitecourt Launch Program is that no one walks
away empty-handed. “The four that did not meet the baseline, it’s not the end for them.
They are continuing to work with Community Futures, as one of our partners, as well as
with us, for mentorship and business development. Our goal is to help strengthen their
case and bring their models to life,” explained Woods.
With highly competitive funding on the line, the Economic Development Committee
prioritized projects that were fully secured in their foundational elements, like
sustainability, ready to launch and community need. “Lots of the business plans were
great, and they varied in strengths. The proposals were high quality, and the applicant’s
readiness to launch really did impact it,” added Woods.
The four applications that pitched to the committee were ClearView Diagnostics, for a
new rural ultrasound diagnostic imaging clinic, Candy’s Canine Club Dog Daycare, for a
doggy daycare company with pick-up/drop-off services, grooming and pet wellness, La

Catrina, a new restaurant in downtown Whitecourt, and an expansion at Brooke’s Creek
Campground & Mini Golf for Everly’s Eats, a coffee, snack and ice cream shack.
Following the pitches, the Economic Development Committee rated and scored each
presentation. Unlike previous years, the committee decided to give out $15,000 and
have two winners. First up, La Catrina was recommended to receive $10,000, and
Brooke’s Creek Campground & Mini Golf was recommended to receive $5,000 for its
Everly’s Eats expansion. Whitecourt Town Council had final say and decided to accept
the committee’s recommendations and approve the allocations.
Mayor Ray Hilts gave the program two thumbs up. “As somebody who is one of the
Economic Development Committee members, who got a chance to listen to the pitches
and review the applications and business plans, it was phenomenal. The
entrepreneurial sphere within the community and the willingness to develop and grow
businesses were exceptional.” He added that getting to sit through the process and see
the depth and quality of plans and businesses in the community was exciting.
Councillor Mike Braun asked what the follow-up process was like before winners
received their funding. Woods explained that funding isn’t handed out until a business
opens or its expansion project is complete. “There’s a recording document as well that
they submit that provides invoices, and we see where they’ve actually spent the
money.”
Woods explained that it doesn’t end there either. “We follow up with business visits
regularly. A lot of times, our experience with the previous winners is that they reach out
to us before we have to reach out to them. It’s been a really great partnership with
businesses.”
Councillor Braden Lanctot said that if there were ever founders looking for a business to
invest in, applicants to the Whitecourt Launch Program could feasibly be an option,
based on how in-depth some of the applications were. “I think a founder would actually
entertain some of these ideas. I think you could actually have somebody come in and
invest, as purely an outside investor. So, kudos to Rhonda, Community Futures, and the
rest of the people getting those applications moving forward.”
For Amanda Pauze, owner down at Brooke’s Creek, the Whitecourt Launch Program
gave her more than just $5,000. “I came out of it with a 58-page business plan. That
was two months of work, every day, to create it, and it was super thorough. Getting to
go through my business with a fine-tooth comb helped me to understand my business
better and to ensure this operation was going to be a success.”
She said getting to the presentation portion was a bit nerve-wracking, but ended up
being a great experience. “I was nervous doing the presentation to the Economic
Development Committee, but it was actually really chill. It was really good, and the

feedback was great. I felt like I had won even just after that part. It was such a good
feeling,” said Pauze.
She added that working with Community Futures was the icing on the cake. “I didn’t
even realize how big a help they would be for me. They walked me through step by step
on how to do it, and they were there to support me throughout the process. Having that
little bit of a crutch to lean on when I didn’t know what I was doing was excellent.”
Everly’s Eats down at Brooke’s Creek Campground & Mini Golf opened its doors on
Thursday last week. Pauze said she’s excited to see the community and area visitors
enjoy it. “We have twelve different flavours of Foothills ice cream, and we’ve got sugar
cones, waffle cones, and then we’ve also got really good coffee. I source my beans from
Beaver Creek here in Whitecourt to help support other local businesses.”
She encourages other entrepreneurs to give the Whitecourt Launch Program a shot. “It
was good to learn about my business. I thought I knew everything, but once you have to
start asking questions, it makes you delve further and make sure you have a handle on
what you’re doing, which was a good process to go through for me.” Applications for
next year’s launch will be accepted in early 2027.
TAGLINE:
Local business owner Amanda Pauze was one of this year’s two recipients of the
Whitecourt Launch Program’s financial boost, helping her add to her growing list of
amenities at Brooke’s Creek Campground & Mini Golf.