UPDATES & BUSINESS RESOURCES
the latest from your Chamber
In this Issue
From your Chamber
  • Chamber AGM
  • Tourism Ladysmith Relaunch
  • Membership Renewals

From Local Partnerships
  • Cowichan Food Innovation Program
  • Town of Ladysmith: Public Engagement
  • Dine & Sip Cowichan - March 3rd to 31st
  • Ladysmith Rotary Fundraiser
  • New micro-fulfillment centre to help local small business meet growing online orders
Resources for Members
  • BC Chamber Welcomes Announced Changes to the Small and Medium Sized Business Recovery Grant 
  • Business Recovery Grant Extended 
  • Launch Online Grant Program
From your Chamber
Save the Date! Ladysmith Chamber AGM April 14th
Wednesday, April 14th | 9:00am - 10:00am | Zoom

Join your fellow Chamber Members, Directors & Staff on zoom as we reflect on the accomplishments, challenges & resilience of 2020 & share our plans for the future.
With Guest Speaker Doug Routley, MLA for Nanaimo-North Cowichan speaking on Business Support, & Economic Recovery Program & other Provincial Priorities.
Relaunch of Tourism Ladysmith Facebook Page
To better serve our members and locals the Ladysmith Chamber has relaunched the Tourism Ladysmith Facebook page!
Chamber news and updates from our valued members will still be on the Chamber of Commerce page so be sure you are following us there!
Chamber Membership Renewals
We have new payment options available for renewals!
If you did not receive your invoice or have any questions about the new payment options, call the Chamber at (250) 245 - 2112 or email Mark or Jacquie.
We sincerely thank you for your past support and look forward to working with you to improve the business climate in Ladysmith through economic and business development programs!
From Local Partners
Cowichan Food Innovation Program
Are you looking to build your community through food entrepreneurship? Do you have an incredible food business idea that you’d like to develop, or do you want to take your existing business to the next level?
Economic Development Cowichan has partnered with Spring Activator to bring you the Cowichan Food Innovation Program.
This free, 12-week virtual program launching in April 2021 consists of a business incubator and accelerator streams to catapult the region’s food and beverage entrepreneurs to new dimensions of flavour.

Learn about the program at ecdevcowichan.com and apply by March 31!
Join Economic Development Cowichan for an info session on March 17th at 10 AM to learn about the Cowichan Food Innovation Program launching this April!
Public Engagement: Community Together To End Poverty Hw-nuts'ulwum
The CommUNITY Together to End Poverty Hw-nuts’ulwum (As One) project aims to create a solutions-focused approach to reducing poverty in our communities by first engaging community members on their lived experiences. 

The Town of Ladysmith has received a Provincial grant to develop a plan, in partnership with Social Planning Cowichan and a Working Group, that sets both priority actions on poverty reduction and identifies actions specific to the needs of Ladysmith and Stz'uminus residents.

With your involvement, we can look directly at issues of poverty in our community and together create an action plan to help make a difference for those in our community needing support. 
Dine & Sip Cowichan - March 3rd to 31st!
The event is hosted by the Duncan Cowichan Chamber of Commerce and includes Chamber Members Fox and Hounds and Ironworks Café & Crêperie.

This year the program includes wineries, breweries, cideries and distilleries!

Participating venues offer a range of inspired dishes and beverage tastings at special pricing, and take-out options for those who prefer dining at home.
Dine & Sip Cowichan is another great opportunity for locals to enjoy the tastes of the Cowichan Valley.
Support Ladysmith Rotary Club & Disaster Aid Canada Projects!
Parksville and District Chamber of Commerce receives grant for new micro fulfillment centre
New micro-fulfillment centre to help local small business meet growing online orders

Funded by a $620,000 provincial grant, a new warehouse and fulfillment facility in the region will provide an easy way for local small businesses to sort, store, ship and deliver their online sales.

The Mid Vancouver Island Micro-Fulfillment Centre will be a scalable, modular, configurable warehouse and delivery solution for businesses in the Oceanside region, Vancouver Island, and the Gulf Islands, according to the chamber.

Check out the articles below for more details.
Resources for Members
BC Chamber Welcomes Announced Changes to the Small and Medium Sized Business Recovery Grant
Changes are celebrated as grant becomes more available to qualifying businesses across British Columbia

The BC Chamber of Commerce applauds the B.C. government’s announcement to extend the deadline for the Small and Medium Sized Business Recovery Grant and decrease the revenue loss threshold that will allow more businesses to access the grant.

“We appreciate the B.C. government’s willingness to hear the feedback from businesses across the province and to take timely steps to adjust the grant program so that the financial support can be accessed more easily,” said Fiona Famulak, president and CEO of the BC Chamber of Commerce. “The announced changes will go a long way to helping businesses in every sector, and particularly those sectors hardest hit, to navigate these very challenging times.”
The B.C. government has extended the deadline for the Small and Medium Sized Business Recovery Grant program to ensure businesses have the time they need to apply.

One of the main requirements has also been lowered to ensure more businesses are eligible.

The time to apply for the Small and Medium Sized Business Recovery Grant program has been extended from March 31, 2021, to Aug. 31, 2021.

The previous requirement for a business to have experienced at least a 70% revenue loss at some point in March or April 2020 has been adjusted. Now, a business is required to demonstrate only a 30% revenue loss in any one month between March 2020 to the point of application. Read More
Launch Online Grant Program
Have you heard of launchonline.ca? Does your business need to create an online shop or improve your e-commerce experience to attract new, local customers and expand to new markets? If your answers are Yes, then check out launchonline.ca. Grant funding is now available through B.C.s Economic Recovery Plan.
The Ladysmith Chamber of Commerce works with many partners to create and improve business opportunities for our members
Proudly working with Provincial & local Chambers
(250) 245 - 2112
33 Roberts St
Hours:
Monday to Friday
10am - 4pm