ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT ENEWSLETTER
April 2020
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Greetings!
Keep a finger on Prince George's economic pulse. Read our quarterly Economic Development eNewsletter to learn about:
  • New businesses joining the community.
  • New and exciting developments and programs in the community.
  • Important information about the latest economic issues, trends, and topics.
COVID-19 BUSINESS RESOURCES
We know that navigating the COVID-19 pandemic has been tough for local businesses. We’re here to help support you and our local economy. We have compiled a list of programs, webinars, and other forms of assistance being offered by the City of Prince George andother business support organizations:

City of Prince George

  • List of COVID-19 Resources: The City of Prince George has compiled a list of resources to help businesses, employees, and residents access current and accurate information during the COVID-19 pandemic.These resources fall into several categories, including federal, provincial, tax, employee, employer, as well as specific sectors and utilities. The links are updated weekly with new information appearing at the top of the page.
  • Business Titan Talks: The City of Prince George is coordinating Zoom meeting discussions with local sector specific ‘business titans’ who are taking innovative approaches to the seismic shift in doing business. The next panel discussion will focus on engineering and will be hosted in May. Watch investprincegeorge.ca for details.

Support PG

  • Support PG Website and Marketing Campaign: Eleven Prince George organizations have partnered to launch the Support PG website, which provides businesses with the resources they need to sustain or pivot their operations during COVID-19, a directory of open businesses, good news stories, and up-to-date health and wellness information. Visit supportpg.ca today!

Community Futures Fraser-Fort George

  • Business Resource Assistant: This resource helps you navigate government resources, connect with a business analyst around financing options, and introduces you to business supports that may assist with your business. Contact Emily at 250-562-9622 ext 103 or at general@cfdc.bc.ca.

Women’s Enterprise Centre

  • SEO for Beginners - How Customers Find You Online: Discover how implementing Search Engine Optimization on your website can help customers find your business online. This free SEO webinar is being offered Wednesday, May 6, 2020 from 10:00 am - 11:00 am.
  • Blogging for Business: Blogging your expertise is one of the most authentic, least sales-y ways to attract your ideal clients. To become an expert in blogging, register for this free Blogging For Business webinar on May 14, 2020 from 10:00 am - 11:00 am.

Northern Development Initiative Trust

  • Small Business Recovery Consulting Rebate: This program is designed to help businesses reduce barriers to accessing professional expertise and recover the costs of third-party consulting projects. These types of projects must focus on ways to sustain businesses during the current economic downturn.

BDC

  • Canada Emergency Business Account: Small businesses can access interest free loans up to $40,000 with a portion being forgivable if paid back before the end of 2022. 
  • BDC Co-Lending Program for SMEs: Up to $6.25M with 80% financed by BDC and the remaining 20% by your financial institution. 
SUPPORT PG WEBSITE AND MARKETING CAMPAIGN LAUNCHED
A new Support PG website and marketing campaign have been launched to assist local businesses in navigating operational challenges arising from measures put in place to flatten the COVID-19 curve and to encourage residents to support local businesses.

supportpg.ca and the associated social media and marketing campaign are the result of 11 local organizations coming together to enhance the Support PG campaign, which was initially developed by the Prince George Chamber of Commerce. The 11 economic development and business support organizations include:
  • The Prince George Chamber of Commerce
  • The City of Prince George
  • Tourism Prince George
  • Downtown Prince George
  • Community Futures-Fraser Fort George
  • The Prince George Airport
  • Women’s Enterprise Centre
  • Aboriginal Business Development Corporation
  • College of New Caledonia
  • University of Northern British Columbia
  • Northern BC Tourism Association

The Support PG website offers businesses centralized access to COVID-19 support resources and provides residents with information about how to #SupportPG businesses during the pandemic.
WAYS YOU CAN SUPPORT PRINCE GEORGE BUSINESSES DURING COVID-19
Many local businesses may not be able to serve you in-person due to physical distancing requirements put in place to flatten the COVID-19 curve, but you can still Support PG businesses. Here are a few suggestions to help your favourite businesses get through these very challenging times:

  • Buy Local: Visit www.supportpg.ca to view a directory of Prince George businesses that are offering online shopping, take-out, and delivery options and try to buy locally when possible.
  • Take the #SupportPG Plege: Pledge to always (but now, more than ever) #SupportPG. Take the pledge to support local businesses at supportpg.ca/pledge and let people know you've taken the pledge on social media.
  • Buy Gift Cards: Purchase a gift card now to use at a business when they re-open. This helps businesses maintain cash flow to cover their lease and bill payments while their doors are closed.
  • Support #TakeoutWednesday: Wednesday has been declared Takeout Day in Canada. Every Wednesday, order food from your favourite restaurant for pick-up or delivery and watch for a gift card giveaway on the #SupportPG Facebook and Instagram pages.

Let’s band together to #SupportPG businesses so they can welcome us again in person once physical distancing and other restrictions are lifted.
ECONOMIC UPDATE - YEAR TO DATE - MARCH 2020
Prince George is positioned to be a global leader in manufactured wood products.
Every quarter, the Economic Development Division tracks year-to-date economic indicators to better understand the state of the Prince George economy.

This video highlights year-to-date economic indicators up to and including the end of March 2020. These statistics are gathered from a variety of sources, including Statistics Canada, BC Northern Real Estate Board, Canada Housing and Mortgage Corporation, City of Prince George, and the Prince George Airport Authority.

If there are statistics not included in this update that you are interested in seeing on a monthly basis, please send your request to ecdev@princegeorge.ca .
LOCAL WOMAN LAUNCHING NEW LINGERIE LINE
Modern Match Lingerie Inc.
Shauna Allan is the founder of Modern Match Lingerie Inc. and The Bra Bra Sisterhood. She designed her lingerie line in 2019 from the comfort of her home.

Growing up in Prince George, BC helped her understand that community is the key to success and it was with this knowledge that she was able to take her business global.

Shauna is launching sales of her lingerie line through a subscription box this summer. Follow the link below to read her full story.
PLANS TO BRING HEMP INDUSTRY TO PRINCE GEORGE MOVING AHEAD
The BC Hemp Corporation has big plans for growing the hemp industry in Prince George.

In March, CEO Michael Fazakas announced the BC Hemp Corporation is planning a $350 million facility at the northeast corner of Johnson Road and the Old Cariboo Hwy. The production plant will begin processing fibre and grain in 2022, creating over 1,500 jobs and generating more than $75 million in annual wages.

Remi Balaj, COB and President realized hemp represented a real opportunity for Northern BC as it grows well in central and northern CC and is used in over 55,000 products. With the plant located in the centre of BC, it makes it viable for farmers to grow hemp and businesses to produce hemp products.

BC Hemp looks forward to making many new relationships with businesses in Prince George. Currently, they are working with the University of Northern British Columbia in looking for ways to develop the industry. The goal is to develop a “Hemp Hub” where hemp products are made and people are trained to work in the industry.

You will likely recognize many of BC Hemp’s leadership team: Isti Karpas CBD, Adele Schlick CFO, Chris Hatfield DAS, Berdine Fazakas DAQ, Robert Quibell DPR, Bobby Deepak, Lucian Bute, and Shellie Gleave.

If you want to meet the BC Hemp Corporation team, their new office is at 1434 Old Cariboo Hwy, the former Ritchie Brothers Auctioneer site.
THE EVOLUTION OF WOOD MANUFACTURING AND CONSTRUCTION
Prince George is positioned to be a global leader in manufactured wood products.
Prince George is positioned to be a global leader in manufactured wood products. Nearly 50 per cent of the local workforce is directly and indirectly employed in manufacturing and forestry, making these industries major economic drivers in the city.

The University of Northern British Columbia (UNBC) Wood Innovation Research Lab (WIRL) demonstrates how Prince George is leading innovation in manufactured wood products. The WIRL is the first industrial building in North America certified to Passive House energy standards, using up to 90 per cent less energy for heating and cooling than a standard building.

This building was designed and built locally by Stantec and IDL Projects. Locally owned Winton Homes constructed prefabricated wall panels, which meet thermal performance and air tightness standards for the climate in Prince George .
PRINCE GEORGE IN THE NEWS
My PG Now (April 27)
Prince George Matters (April 27)
My Prince George Now (April 27)
Prince George Matters (April 23)
CBC News (April 22)
Prince George Daily News (April 21)
City of Prince George, 1100 Patricia Boulevard, Prince George, BC V2L 3V9
Email: ecdev@princegeorge.ca | Telephone: 250-561-7633 | Fax: 250-561-7724
#cityofpg #investpg #moveuppg