March 10, 2025

NEED TO KNOW

MNP: Business Owner Series Webinar

Preparing for tariff impacts that go beyond the bottom line. Tariffs present new challenges for your business. The risk of a 25 percent increase in costs gets the attention, but there are other hidden impacts that you will need to consider.

Register now!

PosturePlus Workshop: Virtual!

This complimentary workshop is back once again! From the comfort of your office space, loosen up and boost your energy with stretches that keep you feeling great all day! Join us virtually on March 19, to take a break, stretch, and improve your posture & reduce pain!

Register now 💪

Tariff Toolkit

This resource guide is designed to help entrepreneurs and support organizations navigate the complexities of tariffs and their impact on businesses. It provides a comprehensive overview of support organizations, tariff regulations, how they affect supply chains and pricing, and strategies for mitigating risks, and further international expansion. This resource guide is being updated in real time.

Access it here. 🛠️

Kamloops & District Chamber of Commerce: 2025 U.S. Tariff Survey - Understanding Impacts in the Kamloops Region.

We want to hear from you about how these tariffs will impact your business. While it is still early on in this process, and the tariffs have been paused for 30 days as of Feb 3, we welcome any stories, concerns or suggestions for how we can prepare for these tariffs and how we can support you in this time.

Please fill out the survey to let us know. ⬅️

Which Canadian Cities Are Most Exposed to Trump’s Tariffs? 

The Canadian Chamber’s Business Data Lab crunches the numbers to assess potential tariff impacts using new localized trade data. Kamloops is on the list!

Check it out here! 🇨🇦

MNP Tools and Resources to help you navigate the tariffs ⚡️

Hub Site: Trade Impact Navigator

Assessment Tool: Tariff Risk Exposure Assessment

*RECENTLY ADDED*

KDCC: Tariffs Updates and Trade Resources

This page provides information to help Kamloops region businesses understand and manage the tariffs and their economic impacts.

For questions or comments on the trade dispute, or to share resources for this page, please feel free to contact us at hello@kamloopschamber.ca

Venture Kamloops Data Portal 📊

• City of Kamloops
• Labour Force Survey, (data up to Feb 2025)
• LFS Employment by Industry, (data up to Feb 2025)

INSPIRE AND HIRE: COOPERATIVE EDUCATION

Connect with motivated TRU students who are ready to make meaningful contributions to your organization! Employers can recruit students for 4-, 8- or 12-month work-terms starting in Summer, Fall and Winter.

Learn more here! 💡

City of Kamloops opening nominations for 2025 Exemplary Service Awards.

The City of Kamloops is seeking nominations for its annual Exemplary Service Awards, which recognize outstanding residents who have dedicated their time to better the community. In a news release, the city said nominations for the 2025 awards will be open until 4:30 p.m. on March 14. To be eligible, nominees must have made significant volunteer contributions while living in Kamloops city limits.

Learn more here! 🏆

MNP LLP Continues to Grow, adds new Island Offices.

While MNP’s primary focus with their clients is numbers, their own numbers have been increasing substantially due to their growth across Vancouver Island and the country.The accounting, consulting and tax services firm started in 2003 with three partners and 35 staff. Today, there are 32 partners and 267 people working for the firm in five offices on the Island, and they’ve just moved into new offices in Campbell River’s Discovery Harbour, and on Tyee Road in Victoria.

Read more here! 👏

RoboThink: Spring Break Break Camp Program! 🤖

• March 17 - 21: Come join us for our Spring Break Camp in the morning students will unleash their inner engineers using motors, axles, gears, and more, they'll bring their imagination to life by designing and constructing a wide variety of thrilling theme park rides. Register here!

• March 24 - 28: Get your tools ready because it's construction time, RoboThink style! At this mind-blowing camp, you'll be the boss of your very own jobsite, where you'll construct a vibrant city from the ground up. Register here!

TRU’s IDays are back from March 12 to March 14, 2025! 

IDays is yours to define and to find your identity within. With over 101 countries and regions represented on campus, IDays presents the opportunity to bring the world and its perspectives into one place in a capacity that enriches the campus and the community. Culture is defined by all the senses and everything around us — through food, attire, music, dance, and so much more, we can experience the cultures of our community.

Learn more here! 🌎

The Kamloops & District Chamber of Commerce in collaboration with Kamloops Immigrant Services is offering two exclusive Intercultural Competency workshops this March, designed to create more inclusive and resilient workplaces!

💡 March 17th: Power of Inclusion at Workplaces: Join us for an engaging session that empowers teams to foster inclusivity and navigate workplace challenges effectively.

💡 March 25th: Privilege and Allyship in Action: Learn how to transform our privileges into unique strengths and superpowers, using them to uplift those around us and become stronger allies.

Register now! 🫱🏼‍🫲🏾

Catch the next Kamloops Blazers home games on March 12 and 15! Tickets can be purchased here. 🏒

Cheer on the TRU WolfPack this season! Check out the game schedule and grab your tickets here to be part of the excitement. Don’t miss a moment of the action! 🐺

Regional Homebuilding Innovation Initiative in British Columbia

• Type of funding and funding amount will vary
• March 31, 2026 or when funding is fully committed.

Zero Emission Vehicle Awareness Initiative

• up to $100K and $1M
• Deadline: March 31, 2025

Funding: Pacific Blue Cross Health Foundation 

Pacific Blue Cross currently has applications open for two funding opportunities: 

• Partner Program - Up to $45,000. 
• Major Investment - Up to $100,000.
• Deadline for both opportunities is April 15, 2025.

City of Kamloops Accepting Applications for 2025 Community Art Grants - The City of Kamloops is pleased to announce that applications are now open for the 2025 Community Art Grants. These grants promote the development and awareness of the arts in our community by supporting creative and impactful projects.

Local Festivals - Building Communities Through Arts and Heritage

• up to $200K; April 30 – for festivals starting between January 1 and June 30 of the next calendar year
• October 15 – for festivals starting between July 1 and August 31 of the next calendar year.

Sustainable Affordable Housing Fund

• Capital; up to a max combined financing of $10M and up to 80% of total eligible costs
• Ongoing

Regional Innovation Ecosystems in British Columbia

• Up to 100% of eligible project costs that have been incurred and paid
• Ongoing. 

Francophone Immigration Support Program - There is no specific deadline for submitting a project concept to IRCC as part of this program.

BC Wellness Resources

'Crossing off my to-do list' takes the top spot! ☑️

JANUARY

JAN 8: January Chamber Social at Nandi's Kitchen + Bar 🫱🏼‍🫲🏾✅

JAN 23: January Coffee Mob with Elaar Immigration ☕️✅

FEBRUARY

FEB 5: February Chamber Social with BCLC & Gateway Casinos 🫱🏼‍🫲🏾✅

FEB 12: CyberSecurity Essentials for Small Business 💻✅

FEB 19: PosturePlus Workshop 🧘✅

FEB 20: February Coffee Mob with Interior Community Services ☕️✅

MARCH

MAR 5: March Chamber Social at Andre's Electronic Experts 🫱🏼‍🫲🏾✅

MAR 13: Chamber Summit | Annual General Meeting 💡

MAR 13: An Evening with the Chamber: Economic Outlook & Leadership Panel ⚡️

MAR 17: Power of Inclusion at Workplaces 👥

MAR 19: PosturePlus Workshop (Virtual) 🧘

MAR 25: Privilege and Allyship in Action ⭐️

Make sure to sign up ASAP if you're interested 😎