• Business Resources

  • Wildfire, Flood, and Emergency Support & Resources for Businesses

     

    BC WILDFIRE RESOURCES FOR SMALL BUSINESS

    2023 - Tragically, fires have driven many from their homes, shrouded our province in clouds of smoke, and left small businesses picking up the pieces. During this extremely challenging time, several resources are available to business owners to help manage the day-to-day situation and plan for their rebuild.  This website lists currently available resources for British Columbian businesses.

    POTENTIAL FINANCIAL SUPPORTS for BUSINESSES

    Government of Canada - Advance Payments Program 
    Low-cost cash advances for agricultural producers.

    Government of British Columbia - Production Insurance
    Insurance for managing business risks in agriculture.

    Government of British Columbia - Extreme Weather Preparedness for Agriculture Program

    Government of Canada Canada Small Business Financing Program
    Loan guarantee for small business loans.

    MENTAL HEALTH SUPPORT

    Canadian Mental Health Association Talk in Tough Times
    Telephone-based mental wellness support for disaster impacts.

    BUSINESS SUPPORTS

    Taking Care of Business - Community Futures Okanagan Similkameen
    Workshops, Training Reimbursement, Mentoring, and Consulting at no cost for eligible businesses.

    EMERGENCY PREPAREDNESS PLANNING

    GUIDE FOR TOURISM OPERATORS - PREPARED BC
    Learn the steps to take to ensure continuity of your tourism business in times of crisis such as wildfires and other natural hazards.

    GUIDE FOR SMALL BUSINESS OPERATORS - PREPARED BC
    This guide will help small businesses during times of crisis.

    BC ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT ASSOCIATION - WILDFIRE and EMERGENCY PLANNING and RECOVERY

    Free app to help your business plan for emergencies/disaster risk and response

    This free app from Community Futures will help you prepare for, and respond to, business disruptions.

    (You will need to create a free account to access the app).

    10 STEPS TO PREPARE FOR EVACUATION


    Start Up / General Support

    BizPal

    Streamline your business permit and licensing experience

    Small Business BC (SBBC)

    Small Business BC helps British Columbia’s entrepreneurs grow successful and sustainable businesses through expert business advisors, educational services, easy-to-use free resources and engaging community events.

    Economic Trust of the Southern Interior (ETSI-BC)

    ETSI works with the region’s local governments, economic development practitioners, non-profit business support organizations, post-secondary institutions, industry associations, and accelerators to grow and diversify our region’s economy. We partner with these organizations and provide grant funding on an ‘intake’ basis throughout the year. 

    Government of Canada

    A variety of resources for business & industry needs

    WorkSafe BC

    Businesses of all sizes must maintain health and safety standards at the workplace and maintain coverage for workers. Self Employed individuals may not require coverage but may be eligible for optional coverage.

    OneStop Business Registry

    OneStop lets you apply for and complete registrations for a new or existing business with local, provincial and federal governments.
    Once you've set up your account you can complete registrations or applications at any time and in any order.

    Accelerate Okanagan

    A local support and resource organization for Technology related enterprises. 

    Futurpreneur Canada 

    Futurpreneur Canada has been fueling the entrepreneurial passions of Canada’s young enterprise for two decades. We are the only national, non-profit organization that provides financing, mentoring and support tools to aspiring business owners aged 18-39. Our internationally recognized mentoring program hand matches young entrepreneurs with a business expert from a network of more than 3,000 volunteer mentors.

    Innovate BC

    Innovate BC is a one stop service centre to connect innovators — large and small — with B.C. government funding, tools, resources and support.

    Community Futures Okanagan-Similkameen

    Acting as a catalyst for initiating and coordinating community economic development and facilitating entrepreneurship, training and educational opportunities to enhance the socio-economic diversity and well-being of our communities.

    Overview of Federal Government Services for Small Business

    Programs and initiatives for small business - all in one place!


    Employer Supports

    Okanagan College - Hire a Student Program

    Are you looking to fill seasonal, part-time, full-time, or co-op jobs? Access current Okanagan College students and alumni by posting your job on the free Okanagan College Student Online Job Board. If you hire a student, you may be eligible for wage subsidy funding from federal and provincial funding sources for jobs that provide work experience related to the student’s program. Connect with Okanagan College today!

    Work BC

    Grow your business with WorkBC. Learn about funding, training and how to secure talent with our job board’s free job postings.

    South Okanagan Immigrant Community Services (SOICS)

    Support for newcomers to Canada and their employers

    Immigrant Employment Council of BC

    Employer Resources - connecting employers to immigrant talent


    Buying or Selling a Business

    Venture Connect

    List your business for sale for free! Our mission is to maintain strong communities in British Columbia through business retention. We help businesses find new owners, and buyers find the right businesses. 

    BC Business Match

    We connect buyers, sellers, and communities!  BC Business Match helps entrepreneurs and their families to find the right business for their skills and interests, and relocate from large urban centers. It's an initiative designed to sustain and grow the local economies of non-metropolitan BC communities and is spearheaded by Community Futures, a non-profit organization with offices throughout BC. 


    Financing & Grants

    Canada Small Business Financing Program

    This program makes it easier for small businesses to get loans from financial institutions by sharing the risk with lenders. 

    Up to a maximum of $1,000,000 for any one borrower, of which no more than $350,000 can be used for purchasing leasehold improvements or improving leased property and purchasing or improving new or used equipment. Financial institutions deliver the program and are solely responsible for approving the loan. 

    Community Futures Okanagan-Similkameen

    Acting as a catalyst for initiating and coordinating community economic development and facilitating entrepreneurship, training and educational opportunities to enhance the socio-economic diversity and well-being of our communities.

    Business Development Bank of Canada (BDC)

    We are BDC, the Business Development Bank of Canada and the financial institution devoted to Canadian entrepreneurs. We help create and develop strong Canadian businesses through financing, advisory services and capital, with a focus on small and medium-sized enterprises.

    WEBC

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

    Since 1995, WEC has fueled the success of women-led businesses by providing business loans up to $150K. We also provide business skills training, personalized business advice, mentoring, practical business resources and a supportive community to help women business owners gain the skills, mindset, financing and networks they need to realize their business potential.

    Futurpreneur

    Futurpreneur’s programs offer financing, mentoring, and business support for every business stage. (39 years and younger)
    We’re here to help you succeed!

  • Upcoming Events