Supporting Business and Entrepreneurship
Last updated on July 15, 2021A strong local economy needs a dynamic and growing business sector. This section shares stories and resources to support businesses and entrepreneurs in your community.
Young entrepreneurs find opportunity in Castlegar
Despite the challenges of the pandemic, Kaleigh Herald seized the opportunity to shorten the commute for people in Castlegar looking to buy skate and snowboard products, to be her own boss and to build up her new community, with the support of Futurpreneur Canada and Community Futures.
I Am Resilient, I Am Langford: Pandemic Economic Recovery, the Langford Way
As one of Canada's fastest-growing cities, Langford has given top priority to business development and innovation. Through strong partnerships between the business community and a progressive mayor and council, a culture focused on finding solutions rather than putting up red tape is engraved in Langford’s DNA.
Support PG – Community Collaboration in Action
A successful collaboration between 11 organizations is helping support Prince George businesses and residents in their time of need. The Support PG website and marketing campaign were created to help the community stay connected while COVID-19 keeps residents apart.
Kaslo: The little town that did — B.C.’s rural digital legend
Thanks to the work of the Kaslo infoNet Society and the Connecting British Columbia program, Kaslo is celebrating successes in rural innovation and digital capacity.
Sidney’s Welcome Back to Business COVID-19 recovery campaign
Sidney is proud to be home to many diverse and dedicated small businesses. Helping businesses recover from the initial phase of the pandemic was the top priority to the Sidney Business Improvement Area Society, beginning with a “Welcome Back to Business” campaign.
Strong relationships mean quick action for Quesnel’s business support team
Emergency response is nothing new for the City of Quesnel. Over the past few years, Quesnel has endured wildfires and mill closures that put pressure on the local economy and workforce. Although each challenge brings unique areas of focus, the proactive work the City does to build and maintain relationships consistently leads to efficient responses and action plans. This strong foundation has shown its worth, yet again, in mobilizing a COVID-19 pandemic response team.
Rural Islands Join Forces to 'Keep the Island Vibe Alive'
The islands off the West Coast of B.C. are home to an inspired group of people eager to preserve and protect the unique culture of the area. With pressure placed on businesses due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Rural Islands Economic Partnership Society knew they could put their heads together to support local organizations and help to ‘keep the island vibe alive’!
Support Local BC Harnesses the Power of Collaboration to Keep Businesses Afloat During COVID-19
Collaboration is the name of the game for Michèle Hamilton, Managing Director of Think Local First and Support Local BC. When her Shopify platform, Support Local YYJ, started to take off, the inquiries for partnerships came rolling in and she brought many partners on board to support small businesses during the pandemic.
Proactive Approach Leads to Multiple Funding Streams for New Port Alberni Food Hub
When a request for qualifications was posted by the B.C. Ministry of Agriculture to secure funding for the creation of Provincially supported regional food hubs, the City of Port Alberni along with the Port Alberni Port Authority knew that with their proactive approach to economic development, they had a strong business case already in development.
Indigenous Partnerships and Local Investors Key to Helping Grow a New Coastal Industry
Starting a new business can be hard and risky. Vancouver Island-based Cascadia Seaweed Corporation is leveraging some of B.C.’s valuable natural resources to overcome common obstacles that face start-ups. Beyond accessing a great renewable resource, they are establishing partnerships with Indigenous peoples, local investors, and the B.C. Government’s investor incentive program —the Small Business Venture Capital Tax Credit.
Local Trends Lend Naturally to Clustered Innovation Approach – Prince George
What do university sustainability research, mass amounts of harvestable wood biomass, and over 70 clean tech firms have in common? They are all found in the bustling northern community of Prince George! When the City’s economic development office came together to discuss creative ways to continue to support and empower local business, these key assets shone through and the idea for a Clean Tech Cluster was born.
Working Within Community and Place to Grow a Small Business – Bella Bella
Cliff and Ramona Starr returned to Bella Bella after 11 years away to open a business and have found success through hard work and the support of their community.
How a Chamber of Commerce Pivoted Toward Economic Development – Ucluelet
Changing with the times: The Ucluelet Chamber of Commerce found a new role by pivoting toward economic development through its business and employee retention and expansion program.
Boosting Businesses through the Aboriginal Canadian Entrepreneurship Program – Throughout B.C.
Indigenous people have been innovating and creating trade opportunities for thousands of years. Through the Northwest Aboriginal Canadian Entrepreneurs (ACE) programs, hundreds of Indigenous entrepreneurs are finding ways to put their entrepreneurial ideas into action to create successful businesses and drive economic growth in their communities. Since 2013, Aboriginal Canadian Entrepreneurs programs have graduated more than 275 students in 18 cohorts throughout the province.
Start-up Program Helps Entrepreneurs Take their Ideas to the Next Level – Westbank First Nation
Accelerate Okanagan collaborated with Westbank First Nation to provide the Startup Basics program to early-stage entrepreneurs. Customizing the program for Indigenous entrepreneurs created a unique learning opportunity for participants.
Agri-Tourism Program Gives Farmers Access to New Revenue Streams – Central Okanagan
Traditional commodity farmers have long faced challenges that make it difficult to make a living from farming alone. The Central Okanagan Economic Development Commission (COEDC) developed a business coaching program and materials that help farmers explore agri-tourism opportunities and strategies to develop value-added products that appeal to the experiential ecotourist.
Business Walks Open Dialogue Between Local Stakeholders – Abbotsford
In an effort to learn what supports local businesses need for retention and growth, the City of Abbotsford Economic Development (CAED) conducted a Business Walks initiative over a period of three days. A targeted selection of “walkers” surveyed business owners to discover how best to target future follow up and economic development programming.
Venture Kamloops Advisor Program Prepares Entrepreneurs with a Mini "Dragon's Den" – Kamloops
The VK Venture Advisors is a program offered through the Business Expansion and Retention department of Venture Kamloops. The program is designed to engage both upcoming entrepreneurs as well as the business community, and has proven to be a very effective community outreach program.
Watch related BC Ideas Exchange webinars about Supporting Business and Entrepreneurship.
Small businesses and entrepreneurs play an important role in strengthening B.C.’s economy and creating good jobs for people in their community.
Subscribe
Enter your email address to subscribe to updates of this page.