Economic Development Cowichan has some exciting news to share about a new made-in-Cowichan collaboration – Buy Local Cowichan website.
Buy Local Cowichan connects consumers to local businesses while COVID-19 restrictions are in place. Registered businesses can share information on their products for sale, services, hours of operations, and how to safely order and pick up. All Cowichan businesses are invited to be showcased on Buy Local Cowichan. By registering your business on the buy local page, your business is featured on a centralized and community-endorsed tool, giving you the opportunity to reach new and existing customers.
The Buy Local Cowichan website will officially be launched on May 20. It is part of a larger marketing campaign to connect consumers with local businesses and support economic recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic. It will be promoted on partners’ Facebook pages, web pages, and through local media to encourage people to shop locally.
Register your business with Buy Local Cowichan today, to reach thousands of locals looking to spend locally, and help Cowichan recover from COVID-19.
Buy Local Cowichan, is an extension of the Cowichan Strong initiative, and demonstrates the commitment to Cowichan and its economic recovery, by your local business advocates. The members of Cowichan Strong include:
- Duncan Cowichan Chamber of Commerce
- Downtown Duncan BIA
- Tourism Cowichan
- Economic Development Cowichan
- The Discourse
- Community Futures
- Chemainus BIA
- Ladysmith Chamber of Commerce
Cowichan Strong was created out of a desire to help businesses in the Cowichan community by sharing information on support and resources that are relevant to business owners and entrepreneurs.
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Transition to Recovery Phase
- Tourism Webinar Series: Destination BC has launched the Road to Recovery webinar series for tourism businesses and organizations that have been impacted by COVID-19. Each webinar will cover a subject related to the travel market, the visitor experience, business operations, digital marketing and more.
- Retail Council of Canada – COVID-19 Response Planning: The Retail Council of Canada has prepared a comprehensive document detailing global best practices from retailers around the world on operating their business during the COVID-19 pandemic.
- BC Restaurant and Foodservices Association – Blueprint for Reopening In-Restaurant Dining: With guidance from Provincial Health Officer Dr. Bonnie Henry, the British Columbia Restaurant and Foodservices Association has created a set of best practices for the re-opening of in-restaurant dining. The document focuses on several key areas restaurants will need to familiarize themselves with before planning to reopen.
- Earning the trust of customers as BC re-opens: As businesses begin to consider their plan for safe operation, a key question must be answered: How can you demonstrate to customers it is safe to do business with you? Our latest article contains best practices and practical tips for making your business safe for customers
- Work Safe BC has developed information on how to return to safe operations.
- BC’s Restart Plan lays out a series of steps that we will take together to protect people and ensure that our province can come back from COVID-19 stronger than before.
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Below you will find recent announcements, updates and resources to support business May 8 – 14, 2020
Please note links and information are changing frequently. Check your resources often and revisit links to view updated information.
- Prime Minister announces new support for Canada’s fish harvesters – May 14
- Resources for Businesses involved in International Trade – May 12
- Buy BC e-commerce brings local foods, beverages online – May 12
- Emerging Economy Task Force final report released – May 11
- Prime Minister announces additional support for businesses to help save Canadian jobs – May 11
- Emergency Support Fund for Cultural, Heritage and Sport Organizations: next steps to support the Industry impacted by the global COVID-19 pandemic – May 11
- Canada Emergency Wage Subsidy Extended Beyond June – May 8th
- Minister Bains announces new Industry Strategy Council – May 8
Federal Government Support
- Regional Relief and Recovery Fund (RRRF): Businesses across Western Canada unable to access existing relief measures can shortly apply for funding under Western Economic Diversification Canada’s Regional Relief and Recovery Fund (RRRF). To ensure that small businesses have access to the capital they need to see them through the current challenges resulting from COVID-19, Western Economic Diversification Canada (WD) will provide eligible businesses with interest free repayable funding of up to $1,000,000 under the Regional Relief and Recovery Fund (RRRF).
- Large Employer Emergency Financing Facility (LEEFF): The Large Employer Emergency Financing Facility (LEEFF) will provide support to employers with annual revenues of more than $300 million whose credit needs are not being met through conventional financing. The objective of this support is to help protect Canadian jobs, help Canadian businesses weather the current economic downturn, and avoid bankruptcies of otherwise viable firms where possible. This support will not be used to resolve insolvencies or restructure firms, nor will it provide financing to companies that otherwise have the capacity to manage through the crisis. The additional liquidity provided through LEEFF will allow Canada’s largest businesses and their suppliers to remain active during this difficult time, and position them for a rapid economic recovery.
Provincial Government Support
- Buy BC e-commerce funding: The Government of BC has committed $300,000 to support agri-businesses. This new stream of funding is now available under the Buy BC Partnership Program to help farmers and food processors adopt e-commerce tools that enhance direct to consumer sales. The program can provide up to $5,000 per applicant on a first-come, first-serve basis until the funding has been fully allocated. The application window will be open on May 15 until May 29. The project implementation period is June 8 to September 30, 2020.
- Supports for Businesses and Individuals in BC: BC Business COVID-19 Support Service is operated by Small Business BC (SSBC) and is a one-stop resource for businesses that have questions about the supports available from the provincial and federal governments, industry and community partners. SBBC advisors are available Monday to Friday, from 8:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. and Saturday from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. at 1-833-254-4357, covid@smallbusinessbc.ca and live chat. Support is available in several languages.
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To keep businesses informed and up-to-date Economic Development Cowichan has compiled a COVID-19 Business Resource guide. Visit here to view essential links.
