Regional Business Liaison

July 4, 2022 - The 1-year term for the Regional Business Liaison position is now complete.

Regional Business Liaison Position Aims to Help Businesses Connect with Pandemic Recovery Resources

In partnership with Northern Development Initiative Trust (NDIT), the Squamish-Lillooet Regional District (SLRD) is pleased to introduce Mandy Rousseau, Regional Business Liaison for the SLRD.

Mandy will be helping to assist businesses and non-proifts to navigate the supports available during COVID-19, and the pandemic recovery period. As the Regional Business Liaison representing the SLRD, she will work with businesses one-on-one, and in cooperation with various economic development organizations, to evaluate and access available supports from Federal, Provincial or other sources.

The Regional Business Liaison is a one-year term position from June 2021 - June 2022, funded by a provincial grant administered by NDIT.

Business Resources

    Boost Your Business Technology
    This grant offers support to Canadian-owned small and medium sized enterprises (SMEs) who want to adopt new digital technologies. This grant covers up to 90% of eligible costs retaining the servcies of a digital advisor, or up to a maximum grant value of $15,000, to develop a digital adoption plan.

    Businesses also have the opportunity to secure a 0% interest loan from the Business Development Bank of Canada (BDC) to facilitate the acquisition of new technology. In addition, applicants can leverage the help of talented post-secondary students and recent graduates through subsidized work placements.

     

    Hardest Hit Business Recovery Program - ended May 7, 2022; businesses can still apply for support up to 180 days after the end of the claim period for which they are applying.
    Wage and rent support are available to businesses and organizations that:

    • Do not qualify for the Tourism and Hospitality Recovery Program
    • Have expereinced a decline in monthly revenue of at least 50% over the past 12 months

    Eligible businesses and organizations will receive a subsidy of up to 50% of lost revenue.

     

    Tourism and Hospitality Recovery Program (THRP) - ended May 7, 2022; businesses can still apply for support up to 180 days after the end of the claim period for which they are applying.
    Wage and rent support are available to businesses in the tourism and hospitality sector that meet all of the following criteria:

    • They have experienced a decline in monthly revenue of at least 40% over the past 12 months
    • They have a current-month revenue lose of at least 40%

    Eligible businesses and organizations will receive a subsidy of up to 75% of lost revenue

     

    Canada Recovery Hiring Program (CHRP) - ended May 7, 2022; businesses can still apply for support up to 180 days after the end of the claim period for which they are applying.
    For Canadian employers with current revenue losses of at least 10% due to COVID-19.

     

    Tourism Relief Fund - funding to be spent by May 23, 2023
    The Tourism Relief Fund, administered by Canada’s regional development agencies and Innovation Science and Economic Development Canada (ISED), supports tourism businesses and organizations adapt their operations to meet public health requirements while investing in products and services to facilitate their future growth. With a budget of $500 million over two years (ending March 31, 2023), including $50 million specifically dedicated to Indigenous tourism initiatives, and $15 million for national initiatives, this fund will position Canada to be a destination of choice when domestic and international travel is once again safe by:

    • empowering tourism operators to create new or enhance existing tourism experiences and products to attract more local and domestic visitors
    • helping the sector reposition itself to welcome international visitors by offering the best Canadian tourism experiences we have to offer the world
       

    Jobs and Growth Fund (business) - funding to be spent by March 31, 2024
    The Jobs and Growth Fund (JGF) is a $700-million federal program to support regional job creation and position local economies for long-term growth. This includes up to $70 million dedicated to businesses created after January 2020 that meet the eligibility criteria.

    The fund will help job creators and the organizations that support them future-proof their businesses, build resiliency and prepare for growth by:

    • supporting the transition to a green economy
    • fostering an inclusive recovery
    • enhancing Canada's competitiveness through digital adoption to improve productivity and manufacturing processes
    • strengthening capacity in sectors critical to Canada's recovery and growth

    Eligible businesses could receive interest-free, repayable contributions for up to 50% of authorized costs.
     

    Provincial support for BC businesses: StrongerBC Plan
    Find out more about the Government of British Columbia's range of support measures and assistance available to businesses as part of the StrongerBC Plan.

     

    Support for Non-Profits

    Jobs and Growth Fund (non-profit) - funding to be spent by March 31, 2024
    The Jobs and Growth Fund (JGF) is a $700-million federal program to support regional job creation and position local economies for long-term growth. This includes up to $70 million dedicated to businesses created after January 2020 that meet the eligibility criteria.

    The fund will help job creators and the organizations that support them future-proof their businesses, build resiliency and prepare for growth by:

    • supporting the transition to a green economy
    • fostering an inclusive recovery
    • enhancing Canada's competitiveness through digital adoption to improve productivity and manufacturing processes
    • strengthening capacity in sectors critical to Canada's recovery and growth

    Eligible not-for-profit organizations could receive non-repayable contributions for up to 90% of authorized costs.
     

    Additional Resources

    Need assistance or have further questions? Contact Mandy Rousseau, Regional Business Liaison, via email MRousseau@slrd.bc.ca or phone (604) 894-6371 x 261.

     

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