PRINCE GEORGE, B.C. – Northern Development announced today that it has approved funding for 11 positions through its Regional Business Liaison (RBL) program. This program encourages Community Futures Development Corporations, Chambers of Commerce, local governments, community economic development entities, or regional destination marketing organizations to hire locally based talent to provide business support services for the region.
Regional Business Liaison positions have been approved for the following:
- Community Futures Nadina
- Community Futures Peace Liard
- Community Futures Cariboo Chilcotin Coast
- Community Futures Fraser Fort George
- Regional District of Bulkley-Nechako
- Fort Nelson Chamber of Commerce
- Fort St. John Chamber of Commerce
- Community Futures Sun Country
- Community Futures North Cariboo
- Haida Gwaii Community Futures
- Community Futures Pacific Northwest
Each organization has 90 days to fill the positions. Northern Development will fund 100 per cent of eligible expenses up to $75,000. This funding is a one-time offering to provide additional community resources to support small and medium sized enterprises during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Quotes:
Joel McKay, CEO, Northern Development Initiative Trust
“The Trust is very pleased that we were able to approve 11 positions that will benefit all four areas of our service region. Now that we are seeing businesses re-opening, many business owners and managers will benefit from this service as we all work towards rebuilding the economy in Northern B.C.”
Mike Racz, General Manager, Haida Gwaii Community Futures
“This position will be extremely important to rebuilding the overall resilience of the islands. As we enter into our recovery phase, the extra capacity that this position creates will allow us to support our island entrepreneurs to the best of our ability.”
Susan Stearns, General Manager, Community Futures Fraser Fort George
“NDIT’s funding for the RBL position is a powerful springboard for facilitating dialogues that will enhance communication, while identifying service gaps and how to fill them. It will allow businesses to access resources to redesign their businesses and will be a primary conduit for strengthening and diversifying economic recovery across the North.”
Cheryl Montgomery, Executive Director, Fort St. John Chamber of Commerce
“The Fort St. John and District Chamber of Commerce values and looks forward to our partnership with NDIT in implementing the role of the Regional Business Liaison. This position will be a critical component towards guiding the regional economy through recovery after Covid-19. It is important to fully understand the position SME’s are in and be able to provide information, resources and opportunities to do better than just returning back to pre-Covid status, but to provide future expansion and growth.”
Karen Eden, General Manager, Community Futures Cariboo-Chilcotin
“We truly appreciate the Regional Business Liaison positions. With these positions we can expand our capacity for one-on-one supports for Cariboo-Chilcotin businesses that are trying to survive these unprecedented times.”
Media Contact
Holly Plato
Director, Communications and Marketing
Northern Development Initiative Trust
hollyp@northerndevelopment.bc.ca
