WHAT WE DO
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Working together to overcome local small business Covid-19 financial challenges.
CHECK OUT OUR TOOLBOX HERE.
This will not last forever, but then again this won’t be over tomorrow either. Covid-19 is this generation’s unforeseen crisis and we will get through it together. We’ve been here for 30 years – together we weathered the collapse of the local commercial fishing industry, pulp mill closures, forestry transitions, and several economic downturns. Should we be so fortunate, we will be here for another 30 years working alongside our most amazing, resilient, and socially-conscious small business owners in the country.
To help jump-start our local economy in Covid-19 times, we commit to work in partnership with all of the other business support organizations on the Sunshine Coast, maximizing our resources (financial and non-financial) collectively, so you feel supported in returning to doing what you do best, in a safe and responsible manner.
If you’re wondering about how to create your business recovery plan and could use someone to bounce your thoughts around with, we are here for you. In time, many of you will receive your rules of engagement around phased in re-opening, which will offer a clearer picture of possibilities around returning to work, rehiring staff, and required alterations your workplace.
We are proud to be co-creators of our Sunshine Coast Business Recovery Centre, designed to be your local one-stop shop for LOCAL business recovery support. For specific information on provincial and federal Covid-19 business support, we recommend Small Business BC’s Covid-19 Support One-Stop Support Service for BC business owners. And finally, if you’re a tourism operator on the Sunshine Coast don’t’ hesitate to join the BC Tourism Resiliency Network to work alongside your industry peers.
What is Community Futures Sunshine Coast doing to support your business
or organization through this pandemic crisis and recovery?
What will it take to restart my business? Should I explore more of a digital presence versus having a retail shop? What do I do when my business doesn’t meet the criteria to access government supports for Covid-19? Where can I get bridge financing to help get through the first few months of recovery? I may want to sell my business after this, or perhaps start a new one; how can I more thoroughly analyse my options?
Community Futures Sunshine Coast has always offered one hour, no cost, business advisory sessions, and will now move its thinking and expertise toward helping its clients and non-clients prepare for the long road ahead. Book an appointment with us by calling Zarah at 604-885-1959.
Before arriving, please spend some time thinking through one or more of the business planning and recovery tools below. Feel free to email if you’d like us to pre-read anything before we get together.
Resource Downloads:
→ Business Continuity and Covid-19 checklist
→ LEAP (Local Entrepreneur Accelerator Business Model Canvas) – try this if you’re rethinking your business model due to Covid-19
→ Rewrite your business plan post Covid-19
If you are a current loan client, your monthly payments and interest have been paused until September 15th. Please reach out to us by September 1st if you need an extension to this timeframe, extensive refinancing, or might be interested in topping up your loan to help weather the storm.
If you are new to Community Futures, welcome. We have created a Covid-19 relief loan to manage requests up to $25,000. Start your application here, and once submitted we will reach out to you. If you have questions about the application, please call Zarah or Mark at 604-885-1959 or email reception@communityfutures.org
Downloads:
Loans Application (fillable PDF)
Cash Flow Projections (revise to help forecast revenue through your businesses’ recovery phase)
To view Community Futures’ ongoing loan programs and services, click here
As the days and months unfold, we hope to be back in our office where the coffee’s on, and we have a local workhub, a boardroom for workshops, and a small team ready to greet you in person. We use our Facebook page to keep you informed about workshops, local innovation and adaptation, and local events for entrepreneurs. If you want to keep in touch via intermittent newsletters, email us here.
Community Futures Rural Relief and Recovery Program – now ended
Community Futures Sunshine Coast administered loans through the Federal Government’s Rural Relief and Recovery Program.
The program ended on June 30, 2021.
On May 13th, the Federal Government announced the Rural Relief and Recovery Fund (RRRF), offering access to partially forgivable loans of up to $40,000 to local small businesses in rural communities that may have not previously qualified for the Canadian Emergency Bank Account (CEBA).
This zero-interest loan is designed to help businesses and social enterprises through COVID-19 recovery by covering non-deferrable operating expenses that are critical to your day-to-day business. This includes payroll, rent, inventory, utilities, insurance, property taxes and regularly scheduled debt payments. These funds may not be used for prepayment/refinancing of existing debts, payments of dividends, distributions or increases to management compensation, capital purchases, or research and development costs.
The program ended on June 30, 2021.
Download the Community Futures fact sheet for details on terms and qualifications.
Our Community Futures Sunshine Coast team is available for questions and inquiries. Please call us at 604-865-1155 or email our Loan Manager Mark Yellowley at mark.yellowley@communityfutures.org.
IMPORTANT! The Federal Government has set a deadline for the RRRF Program: JUNE 30, 2021
DEADLINE: JUNE 30, 2021
Community Futures Sunshine Coast has been awarded a third round of Rural Regional Relief Fund loan dollars to support local small businesses in their Covid-19 recovery efforts.
If you have never applied under this program offering with Community Futures (or through CEBA Canada Emergency Business Account at your credit union or chartered bank) this is your chance to do so. Small business loans can be up to $40,000, and are partially forgivable, up to $10,000 under certain conditions. As long as you are a Sunshine Coast based business you can start your small business application here. Location Finder.
Deadline for any and all applications is June 30, 2021
If you have questions about the program, please reach out to Mark or Zarah at 604-865-1959 or email reception@communityfutures.org
B.C.’s four-phase Restart Plan. Download PDF here.
Key steps to operating your business or organization. Download PDF here.
This program is a hyperlocal BACK-TO-BUSINESS initiative for businesses that want to consider entering or expanding in the digital economy.
Find Out More…
A long-term resiliency program providing BC tourism businesses with meaningful, one-on-one support to navigate the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, adapt and work towards eventual recovery.
Find Out More…
LOCAL & REGIONAL BUSINESS RESOURCES Covid-19
Click on any of the following for more info.
Buy Now. Shop Later on-line gift cards for Sunshine Coast businesses
Community Futures BC
Sunshine Coast Economic Development Organization
Venture Connect (Community Futures’ BC buy/sell business listings)
DER3 – Digital Economy Response Program with Innovation Island
Rhiza Capital – local impact investing (joint venture Community Futures Sunshine Coast)
Moving your business to online – CF Shopify webinar (pre-recorder)
Sunshine Coast Tourism (BC Tourism Resiliency Network Partners)
Vancouver Island/Sunshine Coast Tourism Resiliency Network
Sunshine Coast Regional District
Work BC – Employment Centre Sunshine Coast
Sechelt on-line Farmers’ Market
Sunshine Coast Credit Union
Sechelt Downtown Business Association
Sechelt & District Chamber of Commerce
Gibsons & Area Chamber of Commerce
Pender Harbour Chamber of Commerce
