UPDATES & BUSINESS RESOURCES
the latest from your Chamber
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The Ladysmith Chamber hosted information session on how your business can access a FREE SERVICE to transition to the Digital Economy on Dec 3, 2020
Thank you to Innovation Island’s Jennifer Hufnagel and Janet Bonaguro for delivering a fantastic session discussing the ‘Digital Economy Response Program‘ – DER3 which helps connect Small and Medium Businesses who want to enter or expand into the “Digital Economy”.
The program is geared to help Businesses build , grow and stay on the island. It's ok if you don't know what you need or where to start. They provided resources to point you in the right direction fit for you and your business. DER3 is available until the end of February.
Make the call, take the assessment, it will probably be one of the most valuable moves you can make!
If you missed the presentation you can view the Recording or Session Slides
(includes some additional DER3 client stories)
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Looking for a way to improve customer experience while adhering to social distancing & capacity protocols? |
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There are only 20 spaces available and will be assigned on first come first serve basis.
If you want to sign up or just have some questions please contact:
Thank you for your ongoing patronage and support of the Chamber
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BC Chamber COVID-19 Pulse Check Survey |
With rising COVID cases, the BC Chamber is launching a COVID-19 'Pulse Check' Survey to see how your business is impacted and what supports you need in this critical time.
They will track the workforce challenges and the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic on BC businesses. Your feedback to this survey is essential to inform their understanding of the most pressing impacts you are experiencing and what can be done to support your business.
Responses are confidential and personal information will not be shared.
The survey will take ~ 8 minutes to complete (follow the progress bar below). Survey will close on December 18th at 5PM.
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Want to reinvigorate workplace culture and boost your productivity? |
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The BC Chamber has partnered with UVIC’s Gustavson School of Business to offer an online training program that will help businesses mitigate the negative impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic by teaching them how to adapt their business models, re-engage customers, and adjust workplace cultures.
The Building Resilience to Thrive program will feature weekly seminars delivered by award-winning professors Dr. Mark Colgate and Prof. Brian Leacock offered on the following dates:
- COHORT TWO: January 12th to February 16th (11am PST/12pm MST)
- COHORT THREE: February 24th to March 31st (11am PST/12pm MST)
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Government expands Canada Emergency Business Account loans |
Small businesses continue to face challenges and uncertainty during the COVID-19 pandemic and the government is providing support to ensure they can stay in business.
Since the spring, the Canada Emergency Business Account has helped almost 800,000 small businesses and not-for-profits in Canada. Today the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Finance, the Honourable Chrystia Freeland, announced the expansion of the Canadian Emergency Business Account (CEBA).
Starting on Friday, December 4, 2020, eligible businesses facing financial hardship as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic are able to access a second CEBA loan of up to $20,000 – on top of the initial $40,000 that was available to small businesses.
Half of this additional financing, up to $10,000, will be forgivable if the loan is repaid by December 31, 2022.
This means the additional loan effectively increases CEBA loans from the existing $40,000 to $60,000 for eligible businesses, of which a total of $20,000 will be forgiven if the balance of the loan is repaid on time.
As announced in the Fall Economic Statement, the application deadline for CEBA has also been extended to March 31, 2021.
To apply, eligible businesses and not-for-profits need to contact the financial institution that provided their initial CEBA loan and provide the appropriate information and documentation.
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NEW Canada Emergency Rent Subsidy now accepting applications |
The new Canada Emergency Rent Subsidy program for businesses, non-profits, or charities is open for applications. Under the revised program, renters and property owners will now receive payments directly without requiring the participation of landlords.
The Canada Revenue Agency will be hosting two teleconference sessions regarding the new CERS program:
To find out more about your eligibility or to apply for the Canada Emergency Rent Subsidy program, click the button below.
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Applications are open for Survive & Recover |
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The program builds strength and resiliency through adversity and prepares organizations for uncertainty in the changing landscape of COVID-19. The 2-month program combines group coaching, individualized support, peer support, financial tools, scenario thinking tools, resources, and timely webinars to develop financial strategies to best prepare for a COVID-19 road to recovery. Survive & Recover helps organizations navigate the day-to-day realities through these changing times and provides support to begin preparing for a recovery phase.
Charities, not for profits and social enterprises are key players in the health and vigor of our communities. From food and shelter; health and wellness; tourism and public services they play a significant role in our communities’ livability and vitality.
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Province Announces Small and Medium Business Recovery Grant program |
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Have you applied for the BC Small and Medium-Sized Business Recovery Grant program?
How the program works: The Small and Medium-Sized Business Recovery Grant program will invest up to $300 million in targeted financial support for some of the hardest hit businesses in B.C. that employ between two and 149 B.C. residents and have experienced declines in revenue since March 10, 2020.
Grants of $10,000 to $30,000 are available. An additional $5,000 to $10,000 grant is available to eligible tourism-related businesses that have been hit especially hard by COVID-19. The program runs until March 31, 2021 or until the funds are fully allocated, whichever comes first.
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Interregional Service between Cowichan Valley Regional District and Regional District of Nanaimo |
BC Transit, the Cowichan Valley Regional District, and the Regional District of Nanaimo are seeking input on proposed interregional service expansions. Ladysmith to Nanaimo!! The survey is open until Dec 18th.
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What Impact Are We Making? |
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Community organizations and social enterprises who want to show the impact they are making are eligible to apply for an Impact Measurement Coaching grant from Innoweave.
What impact is your organization/project making? Is a common question from funders. Your organization could be eligible for Impact Coaching Support through Innoweave for up to $10,000.
Ladysmith Chamber Member, Laurie Ringaert, Change Weavers Consulting has been chosen as an Innoweave Impact Measurement Coach. Expressions of interest deadline for this first Impact Measurement intake is December 15th.
Change Weavers Consulting provides consultation on program design, implementation, evaluation, strategic planning, meeting facilitation (including virtual facilitation), community engagement and needs assessments. Laurie wants to help Vancouver Island organizations to continue to show their impact and see opportunities beyond COVID to make transformational change. Please contact me with to discuss opportunities to work together.
Laurie Ringaert, Principal Consultant
Offices in Nanaimo, BC & Winnipeg, MB.
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Shop in Downtown Ladysmith and you could win $300 of LDBA Bucks (sponsored by the Ladysmith & District Credit Union) to be spent at participating Downtown Business for 5 weeks. Draw is every Friday. First Draw is November 18th.
Late night shopping every Friday on:
- December 11th
- December 18th
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Keep your Business information current in the Ladysmith-Open for Business Online Directory |
The Directory highlights local businesses that are open, have adjusted hours and any practices they are implementing to keep themselves and their customers safe.
Local Businesses can update their hours & services by clicking on the button below.
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We sincerely hope that you, your families, your employees, coworkers and all around you are safe and healthy in these extraordinary times. The Ladysmith Chamber has worked hard to monitor the many announcements related to federal, provincial and local responses to the Covid-19 pandemic and make information pertinent to business readily available to you on our website, newsletters and Facebook posts. We have also tried our best to monitor how your businesses have adjusted to the current crisis to make this information available to the public through our Facebook page. (If you have not already Liked and Followed our Page, you may need to do so in order to tag us.)
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The Ladysmith Chamber of Commerce is proud to work closely with the BC Chamber and local area Chambers
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33 Roberts Street, PO Box 598 Ladysmith,
BC V9G 1A4 Canada
250-245-2112
Hours: Monday - Friday 10am-4pm
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