Nine Community Futures offices in northern B.C. are co-launching a new campaign that highlights the challenges and beauty of small business entrepreneurship in the northern reaches of the province.
Invested in BC’s North celebrates the positive impact that Community Futures has on local entrepreneurs and communities as far north as the Yukon border, all the way to South Cariboo. The campaign is running until December and demonstrates the resilience and creativity of northern business owners in adapting to new economic, environmental, and social challenges in the places they call home.
Rural entrepreneurs generally have a harder time accessing finance, business services and basic infrastructure, making it more challenging to operate and sustain successful businesses. In addition, they are more vulnerable to regional economic, environmental, and social challenges, such as mill closures and devastating wildfires and floods.
“Community Futures has decades of experience in supporting entrepreneurs from their business startup to succession planning. We’re small, agile, and local. Our team knows what it’s like to live and do business in the north. We give people the tools, resources, mentorship, and financial support that are right for their business’ unique situation and needs,” said Natalie Allan, Community Futures, Fraser Fort George.
In 2022-2023 alone, the nine Community Futures offices in northern B.C. loaned $7.4 million, provided close
to 4,500 business advisory services and supported more than 120 community projects in their respective regions.
For more information about the Invested in BC’s North campaign and the stories of northern B.C. entrepreneurs, please visit: www.InvestedInBCsNorth.ca