Columbia Valley Community Economic Support Team
COVID-19 Update - March 27th 2020
WE ARE UNITED AND WE ARE HERE TO SERVE, SUPPORT & GUIDE YOU, DURING THIS CHALLENGING TIME
Introducing the Columbia Valley Community
Economic Support Team
Over the past weeks the organizations listed above have been working together closely. We understand that there is a lot of news out there and communications are frequent and many. To streamline this, we have joined forces to provide a single, focused and local information source that you can count on daily - Monday to Friday before 5 pm . This mail-out is available to anyone so please encourage others to subscribe.
Please scroll through, to the bottom and don't miss any important and valuable information for you, your family and your business. United, our special Valley will get through this together.
Update from Invermere & District Hospital Chief of Staff
Gareth Mannheimer, Chief of Staff Invermere & District Hospital & Family Physician updates how community medical services are responding to the rapidly changing environment for COVID19 and how the community can help. 

Supports for Business Update: March 27, 2020
 
Today, Prime Minister Trudeau announced four measures to further support business and not-for-profits who are struggling in the face of COVID-19 pandemic.

  • The wage subsidy has been increased from 10% to 75% for qualifying businesses, back dated to March 15, 2020.

  • The federal government will provide up to $25 billion to eligible financial institutions to provide interest-free loans (up to $40,000 for one year) to small businesses and not-for-profits. Up to $10,000 may be forgiven in qualifying circumstances. The program is called the Canada Emergency Business Account—and can be accessed through financial institutions.  

  • Businesses, including self-employed people, can defer GST/HST payments, and customs duties for imports, until June. This will help businesses pay employees and ease cash-flow challenges.
 
  • Small and medium-sized companies that need help with operational cash flow can access the new Small and Medium-sized Enterprise Loan and Guarantee program. This program provides $40 billion in guaranteed loans (government backed) through various financial institutions.
We're Listening!
The BC Chamber of Commerce will be conducting ‘pulse checks’ surveys every two weeks on BCMindreader.com, to find out how businesses are faring in the age of COVID-19, and how your needs are evolving.
 
This information will inform ongoing recommendations to government. and, perhaps more importantly, help track the efficacy of government programs and initiatives as they roll out. 
This is your best opportunity to be heard on an ongoing basis and get the support you need—in the days, weeks, and months ahead.
 
We’ve already seen success. Our first COVID-19 Business Impact survey saw close to 8000 responses and informed many of the existing supports for business already put forth by the BC government. 
 
COVID-19 Business Impact Survey Highlights for the Columbia Valley

Thank you to the 67 businesses who took the time to respond to the survey. The following information is from the BC Chamber of Commerce’s Mind Reader survey conducted between March 13th -18th. Click here to see a summary of Columbia Valley data.


Check out the most up to date resource on how your local Chambers are supporting their members.
To support businesses and help prevent layoffs, the government is proposing to provide eligible small employers a temporary wage subsidy for a period of three months. More
Online Learning Opportunities
Many businesses have had to shift very quickly to doing business differently or online! This can be a steep learning curve but many resources are available for Columbia Valley bushiness.
Free Business Strategy Sessions
Join The Mountain Hub online for 30-minute Business Strategy Sessions. They will run Monday through Wednesday for the next 2 weeks.
We will cover the different ways your business can cope with COVID-19, and how to create alternative revenue streams. Register Today!

Virtual co-working is also available here
Social Distancing Training Opportunities
Community Futures Central Kootenay is happy to report that their Small Business Training Centre has a full schedule for spring  that will be deliver via webinar. 

Great opportunity to practice social distancing and improve your business knowledge from home.
Build Your Skills
Small Business BC provides practical business seminars and online education to develop your business skills and strategy to run a successful business.

Iso-Learning Summit arrives in four days!
P resent by Brand Scrubbers and proudly sponsored by the Columbia Valley Chamber of Commerce. The Iso-Learning Summit is a series of FREE learning sessions on various business topics designed to help you sustain, survive, and/or thrive as a business owner/entrepreneur during the COVID-19 Global Pandemic. With hundreds already registered, sign up today!
More Supports & Resources...
Support for individuals has arrived.
The new Canada Emergency Response Benefit will provide a taxable benefit of $2,000 a month for up to 4 months to support people facing unemployment. Additional financial support for tax filing, mortgage deferrals, Indigenous communities, seniors, students & recent graduates, and women's shelters. Read All About it!
The Basin Business Advisors Program wants to talk about YOUR business

specifically, over the short, medium & long term. Your Eastern Region Advisor is Corey Kanzig - ckanzig@bbaprogram.ca
250-489-4356 Ext.108
Support Local!
Valley Strong Box
Each box includes an assortment of amazingly local products. 
All boxes will be delivered locally on April 10, just in time for Easter. Orders must be received by April 1. $99 includes taxes and delivery within the Columbia Valley. Order yours today
Bunker Boxes
Konig Meat & Sausage
These beauties are being packed as we speak! Please email us at konigmeats@gmail.com to place your order. Each box will be $100 and at this time no changes to box contents are allowed. I know a lot of you have your favourites but we think these boxes offer a lot of what we do best! Items in the box will change weekly as we continually adapt to supply chain logistics (except bacon, that’s an essential!) More
Inform your customers with these stickers!
Sticker Nut in Invermere have developed some social distancing decals to help out businesses. They are made on high grade vinyl and would be removable without leaving a residue. The floor graphics have a laminate to protect the ink.

If you live locally and can pick up from the store (with no contact), use the code LOCAL at check out to remove the shipping. Order yours here  
Whats your business up to? Engage with us and become a HEADLINE
Your Local Network to  Help  and  Be Helped  is here...
Are you in need of assistance or do you have time to assist others? If so, please visit  Volunteer Columbia Valley  website to register. Should you have any questions on this, please email  klassenlaurie@gmail.com , or
call 250-688-0529. 
It is imperative that our community rallies together during this time and we strongly encourage everyone to support local business as much as possible.
Many local businesses have created an official statement on their website and social media (like the one above). In an effort to centralize communication from your business to our visitors, municipalities and local community members, Please quickly submit your information below.
Do you have something you think we should include in this newsletter?
We want to hear from you.