UPDATES & BUSINESS RESOURCES
the latest from your Chamber
In this Issue
From your Chamber
  • Ladysmith Chamber proud to support its Member Restaurants
  • Ladysmith Chamber receives ICET Rural Business and Community Recovery funding

From Local Partnerships
  • Town of Ladysmith accepting applications for the Community Planning Advisory Committee
  • Step up work placement
  • Community Futures Info session re: Small Business Finance and Resources
  • ETHOS has a new employment program called Rebel Entrepreneur.
  • Get your local business on the regional government's purchasing radar
Resources for Members 
  • Expanded Circuit Breaker Relief Grant available now for hard-hit businesses
  • BC Chamber of Commerce Responds to both Federal and Provincial 2021 Budgets
  • B.C. PST rebate on select machinery and equipment
  • Key updates regarding Government Supports
  • Additional funding for the Launch Online Grant Program
From your Chamber
The Ladysmith Chamber is thrilled to announce that our application to the ICET Rural Business and Community Recovery Program has been successful.
The Ladysmith Chamber is thrilled to announce that our application to the ICET Rural Business and Community Recovery Program has been successful. The Chamber will receive $50,000 to hire an Economic Recovery Strategist who will coordinate a year-long program with three primary purposes: (1) to conduct a Business Retention and Expansion Program to identify short and long term needs of the business community, (2) to provide Individual Business Support Services to help those businesses most in need stabilize and recover from the economic crisis caused by the pandemic, and (3) to lead a broad-based Community Economic Development Response designed to maximize economic recovery through a comprehensive shop local and destination marketing campaign.

The Ladysmith Chamber (and the local business community) are extremely grateful to the Island Coastal Economic Trust for this latest round of support. It builds on previous contributions to our community that have allowed us to develop a comprehensive Economic Development Strategy (adopted in 2018) and to create new Tourism and Economic Development Tools including new Websites and an App (launched in 2020). This previous support has helped our community be relatively resilient in the face of the economic storm caused by Covid-19 and that support, along with this new funding, will allow us to bounce back quickly once the pandemic begins to recede in the rear-view mirror. We are tremendously excited to roll up our sleeves and get to work on this exciting endeavour that will have significant short and long term benefits for our community.
Ladysmith Chamber Proud to Support Its Member Restaurants
The Ladysmith Chamber is thrilled to announce that we will be providing patio heaters to our member restaurants who have an outdoor dining option. The contribution is made possible by a grant from Community Futures Cowichan and the Chamber is very grateful for their generous support of our community. Cotton Club, Fox and Hounds, In the Beantime, Ironworks Cafe & Creperie, Maya Norte and Plantitude will each have a little warmer patio seating for their customers courtesy of this program.

The food and beverage industry has been hit especially hard with Covid-19 restrictions and it is critical that the community step up and support these establishments in their time of need. The Chamber asks that you consider take out options or dining on these warmer patios as much as you can until the health restrictions are removed and business can get back to “normal”.
From Local Partners
Ladysmith Council invites applications from residents who would like to help us build our future. 
Do you have a passion for economic and social development, housing design, heritage or the environment? Help us build a better community by volunteering for the Town's Community Planning Advisory Committee.
Applications due in by Monday, May 3, 2021.
Step Up Work Placement
What is it?
 The Step Up Work Placement provides Indigenous youth with 120 hours of paid work based training in cooperative partnership with the youth, employer and Step-Up support staff. By connecting youth ages 15-25 with employment placements they are able to:
  • Increase their confidence and potential for independence
  • Practice generic employability skills for future work
  • Learn hands-on skills specific to a variety of occupations
Benefits of the Program For Employers
  • Employers have a unique opportunity to support the growth and independence of Indigenous youth
  • Employers may be training a future hire for their organization
  • Step-Up Employment Navigator supports youth with training or equipment they may need for work placement
Interested?
If you are an employer and are interested in providing indigenous youth a work placement please contact Step Up Employment Navigator Kaylie McKinley Cell: 250-668-8410 Work: 250-591-0933 Email: kmckinley@kwumut.org
Entrepreneur's Guide to Small Business Finance and Resources
Looking to start or buy a business? Shifting your business into a higher gear? Whether you’re looking to expand into new markets, respond to increased demand or update your technology or processes, Community Futures Central Vancouver Island has the knowledge and resources to help small business.
 
Join Kelly on Wed. May 12 @ 10:30am or Thurs. May 27 @ 2 pm for an overview of the program services, tools and resources available to entrepreneurs in the Central Vancouver Island Region. Visit their facebook event page to register.
ETHOS has a new employment program called Rebel Entrepreneur.
The goal of Rebel Entrepreneur is to offer support and assistance to young entrepreneurs who have a business idea, or are looking for support in relaunching a business.

REBEL Entrepreneur includes business plan development, entrepreneurial skills training, coaching and mentoring and even includes a training wage!

Open to individuals age 15-29 who live on Vancouver Island, the Gulf Islands or Powell River.

Interested in starting or growing your business? Register now for this FREE youth entrepreneur program! Accepting applicants until May 1.

If you have any questions, are interested in sharing your entrepreneurial experience through mentorship, or know a young entrepreneur ready to take the next step in their self-employment journey, please don’t hesitate to get in touch!

Pamela Myers, Program Manager
Rebel Entrepreneur
Call or email today! | 1-877-714-0471 | rebel@ethoscmg.com
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...
Expanded Circuit Breaker Relief Grant available now for hard-hit businesses
More funding is now available to more business owners through the expanded Circuit Breaker Business Relief Grant. All hospitality, fitness or accommodation businesses that partially or fully closed to comply with the March 31 PHO orders and April 23 EPA orders are eligible. The grant can be used to cover expenses like rent, utilities, or wages.
BC Chamber of Commerce Responds to both Federal and Provincial 2021 Budgets
On April 20, 2021, the provincial government unveiled its 2021 budget that reflects several asks made by the Chamber Network in recent years, and aligns with the Chamber’s Big Thinking for Small Business Economic Recovery Plan in a number of ways.

The budget demonstrates the government’s continued commitment to the financial supports and to building some of the infrastructure that is crucial to locking in business prosperity over the long term.
On April 19, 2021, the federal government released its first budget in more than two years. The Canadian Chamber of Commerce had the opportunity to review the content and understand what it means for businesses in Canada.
Here is the press release from with wins for both the Canadian Chamber of Commerce, the BC Chamber and other BC-specific initiatives....
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.
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
 
Please visit the Program website for full eligibility criteria, to watch an information session webinar, and to find grant information translations in easily shareable PDFs.
Additional Funding for Launch Online Grant Program
The BC Government and
Alacrity (who is administering the program) have announced more funding for the Online Grant Program!
 
The program has more funding for product companies and it’s now open to open to service based businesses who want to implement or improve their online scheduling/booking. 
 
Review the specific eligibility criteria online and apply ASAP if you meet the criteria as this is still limited time funding.
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