UPDATES & BUSINESS RESOURCES
the latest from your Chamber
|
|
From your Chamber
From Local Partnerships
- Tourism Cowichan is waiving membership fees for 2021 for tourism-related businesses!
- Get your local business on the regional government's purchasing radar
|
|
Resources for Members
- COVID Business 'Pulse Check' Survey
- Circuit Breaker Relief Grant available now for hard-hit businesses
- B.C. PST rebate on select machinery and equipment
- SBBC | FREE COVID-19 Workplace Health and Safety Webinar
- Key updates regarding Government Supports
- Launch Online Grant Program
- Save Startups
|
|
Ladysmith Chamber AGM April 14th |
|
Thank you to everyone who was able to attend our 2021 AGM. We hope you found it to be engaging and greatly appreciate you taking the time to join us!
Our sincere gratitude to our outgoing Directors, Kevin Zerr (RBC), David Jamison (LDCU), Bill Robinson (Xtend Rentals) and David Stalker (Stalker Excavating) for serving on our Board of Directors.
We would like to welcome newly elected Directors, Chad Toronchuk, General Manager, Microtel Inn & Suites by Wyndham, Shelly Rickett, Assistant Manager, Ladysmith & District Credit Union, Dina Stuehler, Owner, Ironworks Café & Creperie, William Sumsion, Senior Financial Advisor, Island Savings Credit Union and returning Director, Andrea Rosato-Taylor, Publisher, Ladysmith Chronicle.
The full slate of Directors with Board positions will be shared after the next Board meeting on April 21st.
|
|
Our MLA for Nanaimo-North Cowichan, Doug Routley, provided a recap of Business Supports & Economic Recovery Program, the Circuit Breaker Grant, Launch online to name a few. Thank you Doug for sharing some of your personal experiences and stories. |
|
|
Tourism Cowichan is waiving membership fees for 2021 for tourism-related businesses! |
|
Here is a fantastic opportunity for Ladysmith businesses to take advantage of a FREE Tourism Cowichan membership right now. They are working on finalizing the member benefits and recruiting package but for now here is what potential members can count on:
- A listing on their website under as many categories the business logically fits; all its social media links included in listing
- Addition to their “members only” distribution list for email communication
- Addition to Dispatches industry eNewsletter
- Consideration for travel media requests
- Access to Eventworks and all special programs they offer, eg. Sip Savour Support, Storm Riders, BC Bird Trail
Businesses that recently became members are now being featured in 4 different blogs coming up: Haltwhistle Cheese, Cowichan Cycles, Good Bite, Shanti Chai Tea, Fat Chili Farm, Neilsen’s Honey, Organic Fair, Wild Poppy, Old Town Bakery, Owl’s Nest Bakery, Crowfoot Collective. Next up is a cycling itinerary TCS is creating as an ad on the Cowichan Grown Farm Map that will feature stops at members’ businesses along the cycling route. All free exposure for their members.
|
|
Get your local business on the regional government's purchasing radar |
|
The Cowichan Valley Regional District (CVRD) is developing a directory of local businesses delivering community values to be used for more immediate and routine purchasing needs. Businesses will be able to get their name onto this directory by completing a simple form through a Request for Information (RFI) process that the CVRD has launched in partnership with the Coastal Communities … |
|
Resources for Members and more... |
|
COVID Business 'Pulse Check' Survey |
With a recent spike in COVID-19 cases, new provincial health orders announced, and the vaccination program well under way, the BC Chamber of Commerce is launching their next COVID-19 'Pulse Check' Survey to understand how your business continues to be impacted during this critical time.
Your feedback will be shared with government and will help secure the critical supports for businesses on Vancouver Island.
We are at a critical stage in the pandemic. It's time to use your voice and share your feedback.
Take the survey (6-min) and influence future government programs to support your business. Deadline is next Tuesday, April 20 at 5:00PM PDT.
If you are unable to click the link, please copy and paste the full URL below into your browser:
Thank you!
Mindreader Platform - A BC Chamber Insight Community
|
|
Circuit Breaker Relief Grant available now for hard-hit businesses |
The Circuit Breaker Business Relief Grant provides fully funded grants to hospitality and fitness businesses impacted by the March 30, 2021 Provincial Health Officer (PHO) orders.
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.
|
|
B.C. PST rebate on select machinery and equipment |
BC Government announced a PST rebate for capital investments for businesses to grow back bigger and stronger after the pandemic, a long-time ask of the BC Chamber included in their Big Thinking for Small Business recovery plan. |
|
SBBC | FREE COVID-19 Workplace Health and Safety Webinar |
Thur, Apr 15 | 10:30 AM - 12 PM
As in other jurisdictions, the COVID-19 situation in British Columbia is an evolving one. Some businesses are making plans for the return of more staff to the workplace as more vaccinations take place in the coming months, but questions remain about COVID measures like barriers, distancing, PPE and so forth.
In other parts of the economy, new or revised restrictions from the Public Health Office may also be necessary as the situation evolves.
Does it mean a return to normality once my staff are vaccinated? What has changed for employers since last year? What is the process behind a business closing temporarily due to an outbreak?
Chris Back from WorkSafeBC will cover health and safety planning as we enter another stage of the pandemic. You will come away with more clarity on what to expect as an employer in our current situation and what you need to do to protect your staff.
|
|
Here are the latest key updates regarding government supports |
Overview of changes:
- The Program has been extended to August 31, 2021 or until funds are fully expended, whichever comes first
- Applicants no longer need to show a revenue loss of 70% in March or April 2020 when compared to the same one-month period in 2019
- Businesses that have applied to the Program will have their applications re-evaluated if they didn’t qualify because of the previous 70% revenue requirement
- Businesses that have been approved for funding are not affected by these changes
|
|
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.
|
|
Share Your Voice In Hopes of Legislative Change |
Save Startups is for businesses that opened on or after March 1st, 2020 and immediately had to shut down due to the pandemic. These are businesses that have proof of investments they made in their businesses, loans they have taken out, signed leases, etc. But, because they have no historic records of being in business, they don’t qualify for any of the federal supports.
Paul Manly, MP for Nanaimo—Ladysmith, has been advocating for businesses that have appealed to his office for help, but this website can be another good pressure point. It asks businesses to sign up if their situation is relevant to the website’s purpose. There are not any Nanaimo businesses signed up yet.
|
|
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
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
