Red Deer Downtown Business Association

Downtown Business Spotlight: H&R Block

Red Deer DBA

Published

4 years ago

6 minute read

This week’s Business Spotlight shines on H&R Block’s downtown location at # 107, 4711 51 Avenue. We sat down with District Manager Janice Will, to learn more!

What is your business?

H& R Block is a tax preparation business and we help clients file their personal, business corporate, and US taxes and we also do bookkeeping for our clients. When you file your taxes at H&R Block you can do it a number of ways such as virtually, you can upload your files on our website and a tax expert will file it for you and prepare it for you. And then you can also bring in to our easy drop off where you just put your tax documents into an envelope, and you bring it in to our office. And then a tax expert will go over that with you and file that on your behalf. We also have our Do It Yourself software.

Now the other thing that we have is our Tax Academy, we offer that every year starting in September, and this is how we recruit our tax associates for the coming year.

When did your business open?

Our business opened in 1994 at this location and H&R block has been in Canada for over 55 years.

What makes your business unique?

Actually we have a couple of things that make us unique and one is our H&R Block Advantage and what that is, is it’s basically a maximum refund guarantee and audit assistance. This is offered to everyone who files with H&R Block at no cost, and also that we’re open year-round. The other thing is our Tax Academy, we have online classes, and this is the first time that we’ve just had strictly online due to COVID and they’re available at convenient times. The total course is 72 hours and in a guided online classroom setting. It includes tax theory and hands-on interactive learning with the latest tax preparation software. In this, there are real-world tax exercises as well as you can have one on one with your virtual instructor and know that once you complete the course then you have an opportunity to interview for employment with H&R Block and definitely have positions available. And if you are hired then we offer a flexible schedule as well as you can take more online learning and other courses to build your tax knowledge as well as your client base.

Another thing that makes us unique if our free second look. It will review up to three of your past returns looking for money, and well do that for free. So if others have done your taxes and you wanted them to be looked over we will actually look over those for free and help you file them if need be.

What are some products/services that you offer?

One of the things that we offer is the instant refund. This service is a great benefit for clients because then they can get their refund instantly. If you file your taxes at H&R Block and meet with a tax associate, we can see whether or not you can qualify for that. The other thing that we have is Peace Of Mind and by purchasing the Peace Of Mind Extended Service Plan you’ll have one of our professionals that’ll be with you through your ongoing CRA assessment or audit throughout the entire process. We also have Pay With Refund. And that’s paid later with H&R Block’s Pay With Refund. If you’re getting a refund, then you could qualify, and then rather than paying out of pocket fees, we will take them out of your refund. So you can get your taxes often, catch 22 to get your taxes filed without making a payment.

Why did you choose Downtown Red Deer as the location for your business?

Because it’s very central to a lot of other businesses and because we have a great location just in the midst of the downtown as well.

What do you think makes Downtown vibrant?

So I was thinking about this and I love how many activities we have throughout the year. We have the Wednesday Downtown Red Deer Market. We have the seasonal patio programming, CentreFest, the parade, Red Deer Lights the Night, and many more. And all these activities are year-round!

I love Downtown Red Deer because… it’s the Culture Center of our community. And that is what I feel it is. And I really feel that the Downtown Business Association has been a great partner and driving clients to the downtown for our businesses, and also making it part of the culture center for Red Deer.

Be sure to head into H&R Block for all of your tax needs! For more information about H&R Block visit their website!

Website: https://www.hrblock.ca/stores/4711-51-ave-107/

Red Deer DBA

downtownreddeer.com

We serve approximately 500 businesses and property owners in Downtown Red Deer, Alberta. Our Mission is to build an engaged Downtown community, develop a Downtown brand and enhance the Downtown experience.

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City of Red Deer

Council boosting budget for Downtown Business Association

Published on December 4, 2023

City of Red Deer

Council approves 2024 DBA budget, increased investment in events

The Downtown Business Association is investing more time, money and energy into downtown events following City Council approving its 2024 budget. During the presentation today, DBA Executive Director, Amanda Gould and Board Chair, Brandon Bouchard outlined the organization’s plans for the upcoming year to continue to work towards creating a busier downtown that intends to result to increased support for businesses within the Business Improvement Area (BIA).

“The DBA remains steadfast in its objective to build on the growth seen in 2023. The collaboration between The City of Red and the DBA is at all time high and with the pending actions set to be delivered through the Downtown Activation Playbook, I know there are many great things to come that will support our business community and create the thriving downtown we all want to experience,” said Amanda Gould, DBA Executive Director.

“Today Council demonstrated their commitment to their strategic priorities with the support shown to the DBA through unanimous support of the 2024 budget. This mighty Association continues to do great work on a shoestring budget and the 2024 Board of Directors are keen to lend their expertise and entrepreneurial skills to benefit the downtown in its entirety.”
Brandon Bouchard, DBA Board Chair

The DBA’s budget is partially funded through the BIA tax levy, which is collected by The City of Red Deer. Each year, the DBA presents its proposed budget to Council for their consideration. When reviewing the budget, Council considers alignment between the DBA’s downtown priorities and City’s community priorities.

“DBA has constantly hit far above its weight in our downtown, I can’t think of a more supportive messenger of promotion than the team at the DBA, it’s so encouraging to see this strong support for our downtown,” said Mayor Ken Johnston. “I’m encouraged by the leadership and direction of the DBA and look forward to what they have in store for 2024. They continually bring positive initiatives to the downtown even with the constraint on finances.”

The DBA’s total approved budget for 2024 is $775,160, with $277,725 funded through the BIA with the remaining amount funded through items such as grants and contracts. The BIA portion for 2024 is an increase of five per cent from 2023.

The Downtown Business Association has been operating in Red Deer for more than 30 years, serving approximately 350 business owners in the Downtown area. Through partnerships and leadership in advocacy and promotion, the DBA is the catalyst for a vibrant and prosperous downtown that is the place to live, work, play and do business.

Red Deer

What’s Happening Downtown: Holiday Edition!

Published on December 4, 2023

Downtown Red Deer

Hey Red Deer!

Embrace the festive spirit downtown this holiday season! Immerse yourself in the dazzling brilliance of the city hall lights, delight in family-friendly events, and complete your holiday shopping at the heart of the city this December. Explore a myriad of activities and events designed to make your holidays truly magical. Read on for detailed information about the incredible lineup of festive events awaiting you this season!

Frost Street Patio Party

December 8th @ 4:00 pm – 7:00 pm

Join the DBA and Spandy Andy on the Ross Street Patio for some frosty fun! Check out the children’s entertainer’s activity booths and sip hot chocolate under the festive downtown lights. Bring the whole family together for an unforgettable outdoor celebration. Whether you’re grooving to the DJ or simply basking in the warm glow of the fire tables, the Ross Street Patio is the place to be for an evening of free family fun. Visit https://downtownreddeer.com/north-pole-stroll/ for more information.

Click here for updates!

Santa Bus

Dec 8, 9, 15, 16 @ 5pm – 8pm

Santa is back on the bus! Merrily cruising down the streets of Red Deer, you can follow Santa Claus on the My Bus App for his arrival time in your neighbourhood.

Click here for more info!

Christmas Pickle

November 15 – December 15th

A pickle used as a Christmas decoration may seem odd at first, but it’s an old tradition. When decorating the tree, the pickle is hung last, hidden among the branches. The first person to find the Christmas Pickle on Christmas morning receives a special blessing for the year and an extra gift! As part of North Pole Stroll, many Downtown Red Deer businesses place pickles in their stores. Customers lucky enough to spot them are eligible to win a prize from that business, such as a discount or raffle entries. Please click here for more information.

Click here for updates!

Mary Liv at the Velvet Olive Lounge

Dec. 20th | Doors 5pm | Show 7:30pm

Check out the talented multi-instrumentalist and songwriter Olivia Morelli, an emerging artist from Saskatoon, Sk.

Ticket price is $10 + 2.50 SC

The Velvet Olive Lounge hosts LIVE music 4 days a week. Check out the full December line up here.

Afro-Caribbean Cultural Cafes

& Storytelling

December 13th, 2023 @ 6PM

Discover a celebration of diverse cultures with tantalizing ethnic cuisine and captivating storytelling at the Flex (4919 49 ST). Join us alongside your family, friends, and colleagues for an enriching experience.

Free and open to the public!

Contact: 403-550-4067

Click here for more information or register at www.accoca.ca.

Supported by the African Caribbean Centre of Central Alberta and the City of Red Deer.

Window Scavenger Hunt

November 16th- December 16th

Many downtown Red Deer businesses decorate their windows for the holiday season. The Downtown Business Association has created a self-guided tour in the form of a scavenger hunt so you can see them all! Get a copy of the scavenger hunt at downtownreddeer.com for your chance to win a 300$ prize package. Email your completed copy to [email protected] with your name and contact info. The winner will be announced on December 16th.

Click here to learn more!

Winter Wonderland

November 3rd – January 24th

On display now!

Visit Curiosity Art & Framing for their Winter Wonderland temporary exhibit. Featuring art by Betty Schnell, Margaret Blank, Peter Caden and many, many more!

Visit their website www.curiosityartandframing.com for more information and examples of the artists work.

Twinkle Tour & Late Night Shopping

December 15th @ 4:00 pm – 7:00 pm

For one night many Downtown businesses remain open late to help Red Deerians with their holiday shopping and to encourage the support of local businesses. From 4-7PM, downtown visitors are invited to grab a free hot chocolate and a copy of the holiday scavenger hunt on the Ross Street Patio. Check out the beautiful window displays and City Hall lights and pick up some Reindeer Food & Snowman Soup on your way to your favourite shops.

Visit https://downtownreddeer.com/north-pole-stroll/ for more information.

Writes of Winter Contest

Red Deer Arts Council and the City of Red Deer have partnered on a writing contest to keep our imaginations warm this winter. We invite Red Deer youth, teens and adults to create a short poem or story (fiction or creative non-fiction) with a maximum length of 500 words about winter and/or the holiday season in Red Deer. All submissions can be sent to the Red Deer Arts Council at submissions@reddeerartscouncil.ca for a chance to win exciting prizes.

Click here for more information!