The Sunshine Coast Business and Economic Recovery Task Force

We have come together to form a coalition of local finance and business organizations on the Sunshine Coast. We are here to help local entrepreneurs and small businesses navigate the existing programs provided by our Municipal, Provincial and Federal Governments and fill any financial and non-financial gaps that remain.

Our goal is to walk alongside you over the long-term, and help your business thrive. We are here to:

  • Serve all local small businesses on the Sunshine Coast
  • Streamline resources available for your business
  • Fill financial and non-financial gaps with unique products and services
  • Advocate on your behalf
  • Provide online and in-person advisory services

We encourage you to reach out to your local representatives below to voice your needs and business concerns, especially regarding any gaps in the supports and programs available to you. This group includes representatives from the below orgainizatio

The Sunshine Coast Regional Economic Development Organization (SCREDO) performs economic development functions on behalf of our four local governments: District of Sechelt, Town of Gibsons, Sunshine Coast Regional District and Sechelt Indian Government District. They are the point of contact for all economic development and investment inquiries for the Sunshine Coast of British Columbia, advocating on matters of shared regional interest and helping Coastal entrepreneurs start and grow their own businesses.

Contact:
www.scredo.ca
(604) 821-4262
Colin Stansfield, Executive Director: exec@scredo.ca

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/scredo.sunshinecoast

The only non-profit organization in rural BC with a mandate for small business and community economic development, Community Futures offer a variety of services and tools to help entrepreneurs and small business owners including:

  • Help with refinancing current Community Future loans including top-ups, monthly payment/interest adjustments and deferrals.
  • Issuing new loans to help with COVID-19 business recovery (up to $25,000)
  • One-on-one support with exploring your options, and building your business recovery plan
  • Buying or selling a business
  • Bridge financing
  • Start-up equity
  • Impact investing

Contact:
www.CommunityFutures.org
Phone: 604-885-1959
Mark Yellowley, Loans Manager mark.yellowley@communityfutures.org
Morgan Beall, Executive Director morgan.beall@communityfutures.org 

The Gibsons & District Chamber of Commerce is a non-profit organization that represents the voice of the local business community and advocates for its membership with all levels of Government. They are here to help:

  • Keep members informed of latest Government COVID-19 updates and provide references and links to key support agencies
  • Promote businesses and keep the community updated on current business openings and operations
  • Advocate for their members with Government officials at all levels
  • Provide updates and links to workshops and webinars to support business with adapting to changes

Contact:
https://www.gibsonschamber.com/info-links/covid-19/
Phone: 604-886-2325
Chris Nicholls, Executive Director: exec@gibsonschamber.com
Deb Mowbray, President: debmowbray@gmail.com

Facebook: facebook.com/gibsonschamber/

The Sechelt & District Chamber of Commerce is a non-profit organization that advocates on behalf of its membership to ensure a healthy, competitive business environment in our local community. The Sechelt Chamber is here to support its members with:

  • Assistance with available Government programs and supports
  • One-on-one business counselling services
  • Advocacy and access to Federal, Provincial, and local government elected officials to ensure member voices are heard, businesses are not overly taxed or burdened during the COVID-19 crisis, and that the right supports are in place to help businesses recover

Contact:
www.secheltchamber.bc.ca
Phone: 604-989-1633
Ed Pednaud, Executive Director: exec@secheltchamber.bc.ca

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/SecheltChamberofCommerce

The Sechelt Downtown Business Association represents all  businesses and organizations in the downtown Sechelt area to support business development, growth, marketing, promotions, community policing, educational opportunities and more. They are here to help members with:

  • Moving your product and services online
  • Promoting your business and products to the community
  • Supporting landlords and tenants with accessing the Commercial Rent Assistance Program
  • Providing resources and links to online webinars and workshops

Contact:
www.secheltdowntown.com
Phone: 604-885-9611
Theressa Logan, Executive Director: sdba@dccnet.com
Instagram: http://instagram.com/secheltdowntown/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/SecheltDowntown/

80 years young, Sunshine Coast Credit Union (SCCU) is a full-service financial institution delivering custom solutions to more than 17,500 members across the Coast.

SCCU’s commercial team is here to support our local business community. Advisors are collaborating daily with business owners to create personalized, sustainable solutions:

  • Payment deferrals, interest only payments
  • Access to Canada Emergency Business Accounts (up to $40,000 in interest free lending)
  • Customized business recovery financing
  • Business model evolution support – accepting digital payments
  • Business Grants
  • Free Business Resiliency Program

Contact:
Business Support during Covid-19
Community Support during Covid-19
Phone: 604-740-7224
Jodi Fichtner, Chief Marketing Officer: jfichtner@sunshineccu.net

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sunshineccu/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/sunshinecoastcreditunion

Sunshine Coast Tourism is a non-profit destination marketing organization tasked with promoting the entire Sunshine Coast region as a tourist destination. They can provide support to tourism operators with:

  • Customized financial and non-financial support
  • Marketing to your customers during closures and partial reopening
  • Receiving updates on regulations for operating during COVID-19
  • One-on-one advisory meetings available to businesses through the BC Tourism Resiliency Network program

Contact:
https://sunshinecoastcanada.com/corporate/covid-19/
Phone: 604-618-1963
Paul Kamon, Executive Director: paul@sunshinecoastcanada.com

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sunshinecoastbc/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/SunshineCoastTourismBC/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/sunshinecoastca

Work BC Centre is a Provincial Government group dedicated to helping all citizens navigate B.C.’s job market. Together with Open Door Group, a non-profit and registered charity providing employment services and support to thousands of individuals on the Sunshine Coast every year, their representatives are here to help:

  • Job seekers find employment in the community through WorkBC Employment Services, including persons with disabilities
  • Assist businesses with finding qualified staff for hire such as screening potential candidates, writing job descriptions, advertising positions, and interview support
  • Help businesses navigate WorkBC programs, wage subsidies and community-employer partnerships to create jobs
  • Help job seekers find financial support to meet job requirements including certification, essential work clothing and tools, and assistive technology
  • Support Self-Employed workers with tools and resources to recover from COVID-19

Contact:
https://www.workbc.ca/workbc-centres/mainland-southwest/sechelt.aspx
https://www.opendoorgroup.org/locations/sechelt-gibsons/
Phone: 604-885-3351
Joan Schielbelbein, Associate Program Director: joan.schiebelbein@opendoorgroup.org
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/opendoorgroup/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/OpenDoorGroup
Twitter: https://twitter.com/opendoorgroup

Nicholas Simmons, MLA – NDP
Powell River-Sunshine Coast

Contact:
https://www.leg.bc.ca/
604-485-1249
nicholas.simons.MLA@leg.bc.ca

Patrick Weiler, MP – Liberal
West Vancouver-Sunshine Coast
Member of the Special Committee on the COVID-19 Pandemic

Contact:
https://www.ourcommons.ca/members/en/patrick-weiler(105918)#roles
604-913-2660
Patrick.Weiler@parl.gc.ca

LOCAL SUPPORT FOR
SUNSHINE COAST BUSINESSES

Still can’t find what you’re looking for? Call us at 604-747-4696 from 9 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. Monday to Friday to speak with one of our local business advisors to help you get started. You can also email us at smallbiz@scredo.ca. This section is updated regularly with new content so check back often and sign-up to receive updates.

KEEP IN TOUCH and Subscribe to our Monthly Newsletter!

Subscribe now