COVID-19 has amplified the challenges that small business owners already face. For a company with only a few employees, an absence can directly affect the business. Pivoting to employees working from home, or having to travel under varied nationwide restrictions, can lead to unique human resource, and even legal, issues due to COVID-19.

As business owners attempt to figure out the “new normal” and navigate through the added complexity brought on by the pandemic, they need professional guidance more than ever. For many, revenues are falling, but their need for these services is increasing. One-on-one consultation is often financially out of reach for many businesses.

Through Chambers Plan Business Assistance Service (BAS), member firms have access, free of charge, to expert guidance in legal matters, accounting, and human resources. At the best of times, these elements of running a business are often outside the wheelhouse of many owners, but these are unprecedented conditions. With a phone call, owners can get advice from qualified professionals who understand the challenges faced by small business owners.

Chambers Plan Business Assistance Service (BAS) also offers the Healthy Business Bookmark™, an online library of resources to help owners increase their knowledge of, and find answers to, common human resource issues that can impact their organization. Included are sections on self-management, people management and business essentials with articles, podcasts, checklists, sample documents, guides and more. At times like these, it’s good to know there is someone looking out for business owners so we can get back on the road to recovery.

For more information please go to www.chamberplan.ca for a free quote.

The Chamber is seeking applications for the position of 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 is extremely grateful to the Island Coastal Economic Trust for this latest round of support through the ICET Rural Business and Community Recovery Program

For more information or to submit a resume contact Chamber Executive Director, Mark Drysdale by email or call 250-245-2112

To help manage growth and change in a way that helps our community meet its goals, the Town of Ladysmith is updating its Official Community Plan (OCP). They have launched an online survey as part of the Official Community Plan review and are looking for your input.

The Celebrations Society has met and is going to move ahead with Ladysmith Day(s) for this year.

With only a matter of weeks instead of months to plan and execute, and adapting to the health orders that may or may not be in place come August 1st they are scaling back the event. Please stay tuned for further announcements as they are reaching out to sponsors, vendors and volunteer organizations as to what activities they can safely offer over the coming days.

Send them an Email

TAKE 5 heads up this popular annual campaign that brings together activities and COVID-safe events with fun in mind. Lace-up your running shoes, grab your water bottle and camera and get ready to play HomeTown Tourist on Father's Day Weekend, June 19-20, 2021. Take in the virtual events and outdoor activities all in and around Ladysmith. Make sure you visit our website and follow us on Facebook for specials, discounts and the latest updates as more events come online at: take5.ca/hometowntourist We can’t wait for HomeTown Tourist Weekend to begin!

At the end of the survey you can opt to join our contest to win one of five $100 prizes! Plus you get more chances to win by sharing this survey on Facebook and Instagram. Questions? Read our FAQs. 

Today, the BC Chamber of Commerce launched the pan-provincial Resource Guide for Small Business Resiliency - a live resource to support businesses across the province in their navigation and recovery of the COVID-19 pandemic and BC’s Restart Plan.

In partnership with the provincial government’s Sector Labour Market Partnership Program (SLMP) and funded by the Ministry of Advanced Education and Skills Training, the Resource Guide for Small Business Resiliency was created with information collected in focus groups and consultations from all economic regions across British Columbia, capturing the voice and needs of varying sectors and industries.

Download the resource guide today to help your business navigate the broad mix of available resources in a clear and efficient way. Follow these steps on the road to recovery.

To help with long-term recovery in the region, Island Coastal Economic Trust partnered with Tourism Vancouver Island & Destination British Columbia to launch our new program, THRIVE!

Over the next few years, hundreds of businesses will come up for sale across BC. Acquiring an operating business provides an opportunity for non-profit organizations to leapfrog over years of start-up and bring your operational capacity to an existing business, transitioning it to a social enterprise.

Join Scale Collaborative for their third Community Session exploring the transition from business to social enterprise hosted with Community Futures Central Vancouver Island and Community Futures Cowichan and funded by the Island Coastal Economic Trust. This free session is open to organizations between Parksville and Shawnigan Lake.