NORTHERN DEVELOPMENT BUSINESS RESOURCE

Delivered in part by Small Business BC in partnership with the B.C. government and the Government of Canada, this service connects businesses with the resources and guidance necessary to navigate challenged from COVID-19. Support includes business advisors available by phone, email support, business resources and checklists and much more.

The BC Chamber of Commerce is the largest and most broadly-based business organization in British Columbia. Representing more than 125 Chambers of Commerce and Boards of Trade, and 36,000 businesses of every size, sector and region of the province, the BC Chamber of Commerce is The Voice of Business in B.C.

The BC Resiliency Network is a long-term resiliency program providing BC tourism businesses with meaningful, one-on-one support to navigate the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, adapt and work towards eventual recovery.

The British Columbia Economic Development Association (BCEDA) is the leading professional association of economic development practitioners in the Province of BC.

The Canadian Federation of Independent Business (CFIB) is the country’s champion of small business. With over 110,000 members, they are Canada’s largest non-profit organization devoted to creating and supporting an environment where your business can succeed.

CanExport supports small and medium enterprises as they break into new international markets, perform research and development and other activities related to attracting international business.

In partnership with the City of Quesnel, Community Futures North Cariboo has launched the Business Support Hotline for local, Quesnel-based businesses. Local businesses impacted by COVID-19 can call for assistance with navigating the various supports offered by various organizations, including BC Hydro, FortisBC and others.

Community Futures is the only non-profit organization throughout rural BC with a mandate for small business and community economic development. Their experts offer local assistance from 34 offices throughout rural BC. Community Futures offers a variety of services and tools to help entrepreneurs and small business owners achieve their goals, including business support services, business planning advice, loans and self employment assistance.

Taking Care of Business – A Community Futures Program, brings funding and one on one support for training to eligible businesses in Northern B.C. As an approved business member, you will have access to free online workshops and webinars, professional business support and you will have completed the first step of the application process for up to $7500 in customized business training.

Destination BC is the destination marketing organization for B.C. and has a variety of regularly updated resources available to businesses in the tourism industry.

Read the latest COVID-19 news and updates, including stories of young entrepreneurs pivoting their businesses, a resource guide containing up-to-the-minute support measures and ways Futurpreneur is supporting young entrepreneurs during this crisis.

Charities and non-profits are on the front lines of dealing with the current COVID-19 pandemic in Canada and Imagine Canada is dedicated to supporting charities and non-profits as the situation evolves and to advocating for support from the federal government.

The Launch Online Grant program provides funding to B.C.-based business to create an online shop and/or improve their e-commerce experience to attract new local customers and expand to new markets. The grant will pay for up to 75% of eligible expenses, up to a maximum of $7,500 per business.
The program supports a rapid response for businesses and is accepting applications from businesses ready to start and finish their online shop within 12 weeks.

Support B.C.’s amazing small businesses by finding local products and services in the BC Marketplace. Businesses can also register their business to list on the marketplace.
More than 1,300 businesses are listed representing 117 communities.

The program supports cost-shared purchasing of commercial farm infrastructure and equipment needed to accelerate the revenue growth of farm businesses. Through the Small Farm Business Acceleration Pilot Program, small and new farm businesses can make investments to achieve farm income growth goals, ensure commercial viability and strengthen financial sustainability.

To address the regionally specific needs of businesses, the BC Chamber of Commerce has launched seven tailor-made regional Resource Guides for Small Business Resiliency – one for each of the seven regions in British Columbia.
The resources outlined in the Guides address core aspects of pandemic recovery including:
• Health and Safety
• Government programming
• Sector-specific initiatives
• Legal and regulatory requirements
• How to reopen, maintain, pivot, or expand your business; and
• Additional small business tools, including diversity and inclusion considerations.

Small Business BC provides practical business education tailored for small businesses right here in B.C. Whether you need help starting your business, hiring employees, managing operations or anything else, Small Business BC is here to help.

WorkSafeBC realizes the importance of worker safety as businesses look to resume operations following COVID-19 related work stoppages or interruptions. This page provides employers with information and resources to assist them in ensuring the risk of exposure to the virus that causes COVID-19 is minimized in their workplace.

Women’s Enterprise Centre is a non-profit organization devoted to helping BC women start, lead and grow their own business.

Protecting British Columbians and ensure our province is best positioned to effectively respond to the pandemic.

Small and Medium Sized Business Recovery Grant Program

Employment, Business & Economic Development Resources.

The Government of Canada is taking immediate, significant and decisive action to help Canadians facing hardship as a result of the COVID-19 outbreak.

The $962-million Government of Canada fund is to support small and medium size businesses that have been negatively impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. These businesses can now apply for loans of up to $40,000 through RRRF. In B.C., Community Futures offices are supporting rural businesses requesting $40,000 or less. Businesses should apply through their local Community Futures office if they are eligible. If they are a rural business requesting more than $40,000, they should apply through Western Economic Diversification Canada.

During this extraordinary time, the Government of Canada is taking strong action to support Canadian businesses, their employees and their families.

Helping Canadians access small business loans, working capital loans, purchase order financing, and COVID-19 guidance

Resources on Business taxes, permits and regulations, intellectual property, business support and how to sell to government.

The goal of this program is to support small and medium-sized businesses in B.C. to accelerate innovative capacity in the manufacturing sector, strengthen critical provincial supply chains and create new, sustainable opportunities for businesses. The program will accept applications from April 15 to May 31.

BDC and EDC are working with private sector lenders to coordinate on credit solutions for individual businesses, including in sectors such as oil and gas, air transportation, exports and tourism. This program includes Loan Guarantee for Small and Medium Enterprises (EDC is working with financial institutions to issue new operating credit and cash flow term loans of up to $6.25 million to SMEs) and Co-Lending Program for Small and Medium Enterprises (BDC is working with financial institutions to co-lend term loans to SMEs for their operational cash flow requirements. Eligible businesses may obtain incremental credit amounts of up to $6.25 million through the program)

The Business Development Bank of Canada is the only financial institution that is exclusively dedicated to entrepreneurs. Their mission is to help create and develop strong Canadian businesses through financing, consulting services, and security, with a focus on small and medium-sized enterprises.

The Business Resilience Service is a national hotline service that will help entrepreneurs, small business owners,non-profit organizations and charities that are in need of financial planning advice, particularly if they do not have access to an accountant. The hotline is a national, bilingual service operated by the Canadian Chamber of Commerce. Small business owners with pressing financial needs can call 1-866-989-1080 (toll-free) seven days a week, from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. (ET).
Business advisors – 125 members of Chartered Professional Accountants Canada – will be available to provide customized financial guidance.

The Canada Emergency Business Account (CEBA) will provide interest-free loans of up to $40,000 to small businesses and not-for-profits, to help cover their operating costs during a period where their revenues have been temporarily reduced. To qualify, these organizations will need to demonstrate they paid between $20,000 to $1.5 million in total payroll in 2019. Business owners can apply for support through the CEBA through their banks and credit unions.

Up to $5,000 is available as a grant to successful applicants. Incorporated local businesses of all kinds, from retailers to barbershops to farmers, are eligible to apply. Grants may be used for purchasing personal protective equipment (PPE), renovating physical space to adhere to local, Provincial or Federal reopening guidelines, and developing or improving e-commerce capabilities for your business.

List of British Columbia Credit Unions

Community Futures Fraser Fort George has grants of up to $5,000 available for businesses majority owned and led by women. The grant will support women entrepreneurs in hiring a Consultant with the specialized expertise required to pivot their business. This funding comes at a critical time where women entrepreneurs require financial support in implementing a plan to become resilient in the new normal.

Grants of $1,000 to $10,000 are available to hospitality and fitness businesses impacted by the March 30, 2021 PHO orders on gatherings and events and liquor and food serving premises. Grants are available until June 4, 2021 or until funds are fully expended, whichever comes first.

The COVID-19 Program is focused on unlocking solutions to protect the health and safety of all Canadians and our economy through the development, deployment and scaling of digital technologies.

A guide to all grants available in British Columbia.

Find financing, loans, grants and contributions for your business.

As small businesses play their part in helping to flatten the curve, it’s seen most businesses closing their storefronts and physical locations. Creating a delivery arm for your small business could be one way to keep serving your existing customer base, while also attracting new customers. Join presenter Marc Kuo and learn the steps, considerations and things to keep in mind as you develop a strategy for your new delivery service.

Women’s Enterprise Centre offers training to women entrepreneurs in B.C. to help them learn and develop essential business skills to help them succeed in business. Upcoming webinars include Strength in Numbers: Legal Q&A, Grants for Business, SEO for Beginners: How Your Customers Find You Online and others.