Support for Local Entrepreneurs and Small Businesses
The Sunshine Coast Business and Recovery Task Force
Our Federal and Provincial governments have introduced several new programs to support and protect local businesses through the COVID-19 crisis and into recovery. Many of these programs directly help our rural Sunshine Coast region, yet some specific needs in our business community remain.
We’re here to help.
A coalition of finance and business organizations on the Sunshine Coast (the Sunshine Coast Business and Economic Recovery Task Force) have come together to help local entrepreneurs and small businesses navigate the existing programs and fill these financial and non-financial gaps where needed. This group includes representatives from:
- Sunshine Coast Regional Economic Development Organization (SCREDO)
- Community Futures Sunshine Coast (CFSC)
- Sunshine Coast Credit Union (SCCU)
- Sechelt & District Chamber of Commerce
- Sechelt Downtown Business Association
- Gibsons & District Chamber of Commerce
- Sunshine Coast Tourism
- Work BC Centre – Sunshine Coast
Our goal is to walk alongside you over the long-term, step by step, as we navigate new territory and build your business recovery plan. We are here to:
- Serve all local small businesses on the Sunshine Coast
- Streamline COVID-19 business related information
- Fill financial and non-financial gaps with unique products and services
- Advocate on your behalf through the COVID-19 response and recovery
- Provide online and in-person advisory services
Federal and Provincial Support
In this rapidly changing landscape, new programs and supports are being announced daily. We recommend all local businesses start with the Small Business BC COVID-19 Support Service to learn more about the programs available. It’s a one-stop shop based out of Vancouver, with advisors ready to help Monday through Friday 8 a.m. to 6 p.m., and Saturday 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. The online platform is easy to navigate and provides the most up to date information on all provincial and federal programs for businesses.
Small Business BC Hotline: 1-833-254-4357
Email: covid@smallbusinessbc.ca
Sunshine Coast Business Support
The Sunshine Coast Business and Economic Recovery Task Force is committed to working in partnership to fill any missing gaps in the small business support programs available, and advocate on your behalf. Each organization within the task force provides different services for the community to ensure you have the support you need.
Please feel free to directly contact the member organization below that best suits your needs.
Organization | I’m looking for… | Contact information |
Sunshine Coast Regional Economic Development Organization (SCREDO)
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Website
604-821-4262 Colin Stansfield, Executive Director: exec@scredo.ca
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Community Futures Sunshine Coast
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Website
604-885-1959 Mark Yellowley, Loans Manager: mark.yellowley@communityfutures.org Janice Iverson, Executive Director: janice.iverson@communityfutures.org
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Sunshine Coast Tourism
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Website
604-618-1963 Paul Kamon, Executive Director: paul@sunshinecoastcanada.com
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Sunshine Coast Credit Union | Member support with:
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Business Support during Covid-19
Community Support during Covid-19 604-740-2662 Erin McGregor, Manager of Commercial Lending: emcgregor@sunshineccu.net |
Gibsons & District Chamber of Commerce
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Member support with:
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Website
604-886-2325 Chris Nicholls, Executive Director: exec@gibsonschamber.com Deb Mowbray, President: debmowbray@gmail.com
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Sechelt & District Chamber of Commerce
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Member support with:
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Website
604-989-1633 Ed Pednaud, Executive Director: exec@secheltchamber.bc.ca
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Work BC Centre – Sunshine Coast
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WorkBC Website
604-885-3351 Joan Schielbelbein, Associate Program Director: joan.schiebelbein@opendoorgroup.org |
Sechelt Downtown Business Association
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Member support with:
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Website
604-885-9611 Theressa Logan, Executive Director: sdba@dccnet.com |
Sunshine Coast Business Recovery Centre
If you are still unsure of where to begin or have general questions or inquiries, please visit www.scbrc.ca or call the Sunshine Coast Business Recovery Centre at: 604-747-4696 from 9 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. Monday to Friday. Our advisors will help connect you with the right programs and services to help you.
(The information on this page was received from SCREDO on May 8, 2020.)