FUNDING POSSIBILITIES EXPAND FOR BASIN BUSINESSES
Columbia Basin Trust announces new $2-million Impact Investment Fund
(Columbia Basin) – Businesses in the Columbia Basin that need financial support but aren’t able to secure conventional financing may now be able to find help through Columbia Basin Trust’s new Impact Investment Fund. The $2-million fund is administered by Community Futures.
The fund is intended to support business opportunities that are high risk and may not offer adequate financial returns to an investor, but will benefit Basin residents and communities in some other way. For example, it may create jobs, address a community need, help the environment or support arts and culture.
“We will continue to invest in opportunities that give us the income we need to provide programs and services to the Basin,” said Neil Muth, Columbia Basin Trust President and Chief Executive Officer. “However, sometimes an opportunity doesn’t fit our standard financial requirements, nor is eligible for a grant—and yet deserves to be supported for other reasons. The Impact Investment Fund gives us the ability to help these businesses strengthen and grow.”
This fund is one of the outcomes of the Our Trust, Our Future engagement process. From September 2014 to February 2015, the Trust connected with 3,000 Basin residents to get ideas on how it could better support their priorities.
All types of businesses can apply directly to Community Futures, including for-profits, non-profits, social enterprises, First Nations businesses and start-ups. The business must be located in the Basin, and the investment opportunity must demonstrate significant positive impacts in the Basin. Applications will be reviewed by Community Futures staff and an external adjudication committee made up of Basin residents appointed by the Trust.
“We have long noticed a gap in the financial resources currently available to businesses, and are pleased to partner with the Trust to deliver this innovative financial tool,” said Don Freschi, General Manager, Community Futures of Greater Trail. “Working together, we are now able to better support the businesses in our communities—and therefore the communities themselves.”
For more information, contact the Community Futures office in your area: Central Kootenay (1.250.352.1933, info@futures.bc.ca); East Kootenay (1.800.661.2293, info@cfek.ca); Fraser Fort George (1.800.661.2055, general@cfdc.bc.ca); Greater Trail (250.364.2595, info@communityfutures.com); Revelstoke (1.250.837.5345, info@revelstokecf.com).
Columbia Basin Trust supports efforts to deliver social, economic and environmental benefits to the residents of the Columbia Basin. To learn more about the Trust’s programs and initiatives, visit cbt.org or call 1.800.505.8998.
jtaylor@cbt.org
New Buses rolled out for Slocan Valley
The RDCK and BC Transit are thrilled to announce that three brand-new mid-sized buses are serving transit users in the Slocan Valley.
The new buses were rolled out on September 14th; each one holds 30 seated passengers.
“The new buses are part of BC Transit’s fleet replacement strategy,” said Randy Matheson, research analyst for the Regional District of Central Kootenay. “The RDCK is delighted to offer our valley riders these new vehicles, which offer comfort and reliability,” added Matheson.
“One of the previous vehicles had over 1 million kilometres on the odometer so it was time to upgrade our fleet,” said Martin Gould, transit coordinator for Arrow and Slocan Lakes Community Services, the company that operates the service in the valley.
The buses will also be used on other routes within the RDCK’s service area, as required.
For further information, please contact:
Randy Matheson
Regional District of Central Kootenay
250.352.8153
September 29, 2015
Community Futures: Small Business Training Schedule (Oct – Dec)
Small Business Training
Workshops for all stages of business growth
Community Futures small business training schedule for Fall 2015 is now available. It includes workshops offered in the months of October, November and December. Some of the highlights from the new schedule include:
'Me Inc' (New Denver: Oct 14th, 1:30pm – 3pm; Castlegar: Oct 15th, 6:30pm – 8pm; Creston: Oct 20th, 2pm – 3:30pm; Nakusp: Oct 26th, 6:30pm – 8pm) and 'Business Plan Writing 101' (Creston: Oct 8th, 9am – 4pm; Nelson: Oct 22nd, 9am – 4pm): If you're thinking of starting your own business, this pair of workshops will help you get off on the right foot. Me Inc provides an overview of factors to consider, how to get started and where to find support, while Business Plan Writing 101 will help you organize your ideas and analyze the viability of your business. Both session are free to the public, however space is limited. Please register early to secure your spot.
'Networking Meeting' (Creston: Oct 6th, 5 – 7pm; Creston: Nov 26th, 5 – 7pm): An informal meeting of entrepreneurs to share experiences, bring questions and problems to the table for group discussion and a place to share successes. You may feel isolated as a small business operator; this could be your place to share, explore and socialize.
'Making Every Word Count' (Nelson: Nov 4th, 9am – 4pm): Learn how to use clear written communication to connect with clients. Whether you're writing an email to a customer, content for your website, or a new slogan for your brand, plain language writing techniques will help you get your message across and avoid confusion.
'Google Analytics' (Nelson: Nov 17th, 9am – 4pm): Better understand your website traffic and visitors with the help of Google Analytics. This hands-on workshop offers an introduction to the service. You'll learn how to setup and install Google Analytics on your website, create meaningful custom reports, track events, and create and measure goals.
'Building Your Own Online Store with Shopify.com' (Nelson: Nov 19th & 20th 9am – 4pm): In this hands-on, two-day workshop you will learn to create, build and manage your own online store using Shopify. Bring your product description and photos, other text (eg. shipping details, logos, images) and imagination to craft your own fully functioning online store by the end of the workshop.
Registration is required for all workshops. To sign up, call 250-352-1933 x100 or drop by our office at 201 – 514 Vernon Street in Nelson (above Canada Post). Enrollment fees may be paid by cash, cheque or credit card.
http://futures.us3.list-manage.com/track/click?u=a0e0aa87bc326e801456aa6b5&id=d21ac859ab&e=2f5ad9aa51
Lunch and Learn Series in the Slocan Valley for Small Business
The Lunch and Learn Series continues this Fall with three new presenters. Small business owners living in the Slocan Valley are welcome to attend, free of charge. Please come out and meet other members of the local business community and gain valuable information.
Each session will include a light lunch, catered by a Slocan Valley business, and a short presentation by a speaker followed by a question and answer period.
WORKING WITH YOUR FINANCIAL INSTITUTION
* New Denver: Thursday, September 24, 12:00 p.m. – 1:00 p.m. at the Knox Hall. Presented by Joanne Cowan, Kootenay Savings Credit Union District Manager
* Mid-Valley: Friday, September 25, 11:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. at the Threads Guild. Presented by Wilf Rimmer, Heritage Credit Union Manager
* Crescent Valley: Friday, September 25, 1:00 p.m. – 2:-- p.m. at the Crescent Valley Hall. Presented by Wilf Rimmer, Heritage Credit Union Manager
START-UP BUSINESS COACHING FOR MANUFACTURING, TECHNOLOGY AND INDUSTRY
The following are all presented by Rose Hoeher, Kootenay Association for Science and Technology (KAST) Business Coach
* New Denver: Thursday, October 22, 12:00 p.m. – 1:00 p.m. at the Knox Hall
* Mid-Valley: Friday, October 23, 11:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. at the Threads Guild
* Crescent Valley: Friday, October 23, 1:00 p.m. – 2:00 p.m. at the Crescent Valley Hall
LEGAL MATTERS - ADVICE FOR SMALL BUSINESS OWNERS
The following are presented by Leon Pigott, Corporate and Commercial Lawyer (questions for Leon can be submitted to him in advance)
* New Denver: Thursday, November 19, 12:00 p.m. – 1:00 p.m. at the Knox Hall
* Mid-Valley: Friday, November 20, 11:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. at the Threads Guild
* Crescent Valley: Friday, November 20, 1:00 p.m. – 2:00 p.m. at the Crescent Valley Hall
Registration is not required. For more information please contact info@slocanvalley.com
Presented in partnership with the Slocan District Chamber of Commerce.
New pilot project helps local farmers and regional food security
by Contributed - Nelson Star posted Sep 3, 2015 at 5:00 AM
A new regional co-op has begun operations with a pilot project helping local farmers get their goods to a broader range of markets.
The Kootenay and Boundary Food Producers Co-op began its market brokerage and distribution pilot in July with their new coordinator, Susan Warren.
They are working with farmers in the Salmo and Fruitvale areas to help find markets and distribute their products to those markets over the course of the summer.
Interested food producers can contact regionalproducerscoop@gmail.com for information, or visit our website at kbfpc.ca.
http://www.nelsonstar.com/community/324004091.html