Update June 9th, 2020
#ykastrong is a combined strategy from 10 Kamloops business community leaders working together to produce a streamlined communication and engagement strategy addressing COVID-19 and the effects on business in Kamloops.
Spotlight Series
Highlighting local business pivots and remarkable Kamloopsians.
Press Release | YKAStrong Launches Support Kamloops Campaign
YKAStrong launched a community campaign to inspire and ignite a movement to Support Kamloops.
Press Release | YKAStrong Gives Back to Community with Kamloops Food Bank Donation
YKAStrong donated $1270 to the Kamloops Food Bank in support of the Kamloops community and those that need extra assistance during this difficult time.
PARTNER UPDATES
Kamloops Airport is prepared to welcome the re-introduction of Air Canada’s service to Vancouver 5 time per week effective June 15th. Also WestJet is increasing its Calgary service to 6 flights per week effective July 5th and Central Mountain Air service to Prince George effective July 9th. As passengers are required to wear masks or face coverings while proceeding through passenger screening as well as on board, it is recommended that these be worn anytime within the terminal building. Kamloops Airport also recommends that whenever possible, only passengers enter the terminal building to ensure physical distancing can be achieved.
To assist with maintaining a clean and COVID-19 free environment, terminal facilities are accessible primarily during periods of flight activity only. Passengers are encouraged to check-in online and use available mobile apps to reduce contact will at the airport. Visit http://kamloopsairport.com/ for flight information and travel requirement updates.
The re-opening of business across the Shore is gathering steam. this week, many of our businesses have completed their Worksafe BC plan, recalled many of their employees and have begun to welcome customers back through their doors for dining, shopping and services. This will be our final week of posting a list of open businesses, instead we encourage you to visit our shopping on the Shore website and make a pledge to support at least one business with a 20.00 purchase that you would not normally make.
Last week, we hosted a webinar with Lisa Fuller of Inspired HR solutions, and David Hughes of Forward Law that looked at the employee and employer relationship, answered the burning question: What do I need in place? and discussed the practical need of employees to return to a workplace that has taken appropriate safety measures. Click here to access this webinar
We are also excited to host our Annual Sidewalk Sale the weekend of June 18th to 20th. Participate in the U Can’t Touch This photo contest, and win awesome prizes! Watch our Social Media for information.
We are also launching a number of other client sale driven initiatives over the coming weeks. I encourage all NSBIA members to watch for Patti’s e-mails and participate in our client attraction strategies.
The NSBIA is also committed to working with our Kamloops Business Agencies and Associations, in support of the YKAStrong Support Kamloops Campaign. Over the next few weeks you will be seeing the Support Kamloops branding and are encouraged to access the logos for use in your marketing needs. You can download the materials HERE
Community Futures Emergency Loan Fund
The Community Futures Network has been provided additional loan funds to support businesses impacted by COVID-19 . the emergency loan fund will be similar to the CEBA funds, whereby, businesses will be eligible to receive loans of up to $40k, with zero percent interest and no principle payments required until December 31, 2022. If the balance is repaid by December 31, 2022, 25% of the loan will be forgivable, up to $10k. The loans can also be converted to a term loan and will be fully repaid by December 31st 2025.
The main benefit of the CF’s fund is, if a small business is not eligible or did not qualify for some reason for the BCAP or CEBA funds, they most likely will qualify for the CF emergency funds.
- $40,000 maximum (but they can apply for less)
- No payments, no interest accrual through December 31, 2022
- Interest accrual and blended payments begin January 1, 2023
- Interest rate charged can be between Prime and 5%; rate to be determined by the CF based on risk
- Loan must be repaid by December 31, 2025
- If repaid by December 31, 2022, 25% of the loan is forgivable
- No security will be taken; only a Promissory Note or Credit Agreement will be required (we are in the process of getting a legal opinion on which would be best)
Community Futures Self Employment Services
The Self-Employment program is designed to support clients who would like to start a business and have an idea that is appropriate, based on the local labour market. This is still true during the COVID-19 Pandemic and virtual Self-Employment services are ongoing during the crisis. The program will provide a holistic evaluation of your business concept and our Business Coach will work with you to meet all of the necessary business requirements and provide advice and access to the resources you will require to start your career as an entrepreneur. Eligible clients will receive financial supports for the 48-week duration of the program. Contact Community Futures today to find out more.
Community Futures Continuity Plan:
It is never to late to develop a continuity plan for your business when facing a crisis. Community Futures’ comprehensive emergency and continuity planning document will prepare your business in the face of an emergency or crisis situation. A valuable part of continuity planning is evaluating business opportunities during a crisis. The interactive Business Continuity Plan can be found here.
Connect with Venture Kamloops – COVID-19 Business Support
Venture Kamloops is working with our business community to get through the COVID-19 crisis and help you during the four Phases of BC’s Restart Plan. We can also help you identify how to prepare for these potential recovery scenarios:
Learning Opportunities & Webinars
- Review our Recovery crash course, Let’s Talk About: Preparing and Planning Your Small Business Success in a New Normal. Our Venture Kamloops team helps you plan for the U-shape, V-shape, W-shape or the L-shape paths.
- Or you can schedule a virtual meeting with Venture Kamloops Staff today to discuss COVID-19, your recovery plan, and your business.
Press Release | Kamloops Resident Survey Results Inform Tourism Kamloops Marketing Strategies Tourism Kamloops issued a resident sentiment survey last week seeking insights pertaining to visiting local businesses and welcoming visitors back to Kamloops. Gathering resident sentiment helps to inform COVID-19 recovery operations and promotion for Kamloops businesses and the Kamloops tourism economy.
Update Your Listings
Generally the first thing a potential visitor will do when considering a visit to your business is pay a visit to Google. Help google out by updating your listing to ensure your business hours, phone number, and any other keep information are up to date.
ADVOCACY: Last weekend at the BC Chamber of Commerce AGM, three Kamloops proposed recommendations were passed. Learn what they are.
LAST CALL: Business Excellence Award nominations are being accepted until this Sunday, May 31 @ 11:59 PM PDT, nominate a resilient business in one of eighteen award categories. Get the details
STAY INFORMED: The Chamber Weekly Briefing with tips, tools and resources that is curated for the Kamloops Business community and is now free for all businesses, sign-up here
GRANTS FOR SMALL BUSINESS: Our Canadian Chamber network alongside Salesforce is offering $10K to help 62 small businesses during COVID-19 recover. Get the details and apply
MEMBERSHIP: The Kamloops Chamber is your direct link to Government, with a staff working to get you and your business the support you need, your ongoing support is greatly appreciated. Stay informed, join the Chamber
As BC enters Phase 2 of the BC Restart Plan, the City of Kamloops is committed to gradually reopening City facilities. Similar to what has become familiar in retail stores, residents can expect to see physical distancing barriers and signage and increased cleaning practices between customers. Many City services can also be paid for through the City website. Planning is underway to reopen other City facilities as well, including recreation facilities. For more information, please click below.
May 22nd Update from the Mayor
City of Kamloops Slowly Reopening Civic Facilities
Downtown “Open With Care”:
Throughout Phase 2 of the provincial strategy, we will see restaurants, cafes, pubs, retail sector, office-based worksites, art galleries and more reopening with care throughout our business community, and we are excited to see our Downtown vibrant again.
While we are extremely excited that Downtown Kamloops is finally getting back to business, we understand that consumers may be hesitant to go back to their previous behaviour. BIA’s throughout the province are introducing ‘Open with Care’ campaigns as an initiative intended to inspire businesses to re-open in a safe, healthy, and compliant manner, and support consumer confidence. Businesses in the Downtown Kamloops are taking responsible steps and following WorkSafeBC regulations to ensure the health and safety of their employees, and the public.
For our business leaders, it’s crucial to communicate with your customers to reassure them that it’s safe to do business with you.
And for our consumers, when you visit our Downtown, you do so with confidence knowing that responsible steps have been taken to ensure your health and safety.
Town Hall Discussions:
The KCBIA will be hosting virtual Town Hall discussions, sector specific beginning this week. Initial meetings will be specific to our food and beverage industry, followed by a conversation with retail businesses. Although there will be no formal agendas, we look forward to conversations regarding challenges, opportunities, strengthening B2B relationships, KCBIA advocacy.
COVID-19 Safety Plan:
The Downtown Kamloops team recently worked together to complete the KCBIA office safety plan. WorkSafeBC offers the planning tool template online which includes a six-step process. Our team is committed to the safety of everyone attending the office, and steps have been introduced to ensure this is a healthy environment to work at, and to visit.
All employers must develop their own COVID-19 safety plan, and post it in the workplace. The template has checklists with details you must address prior to resuming business operations.
CAP Team update:
Downtown Kamloops can look forward to support from additional CAP Team members throughout the summer. Six individuals were recently hired to join the CAP Team, and following their training, they will be regularly patrolling our business community.
Help us Help You
Stumped by a thorny business question? Struggling to solve a wicked problem caused by the COVID-19 situation? Tell us about it—we’d like to help.
- Email a summary of your problem to yka@tru.ca
- A team of TRU faculty, staff and/or students will examine the problem and, using Design Thinking techniques, brainstorm possible solutions. Please Note: emails will be adapted into a summary template with content anonymized and all identifying details removed.
- We’ll return the results to you.
In these uncertain times, we turn to our Vision Statement (tru.ca/vision) for guidance. Our partnership in #YKASTRONG is guided by the following value from the Vision Statement, “Community-Mindedness. We come together to help one another (Pelkwaílc-kt es knucwentwécw-kt). Mutual benefit guides us to connect meaningfully with people in the communities we serve, contributing to an interconnected world where we all share a common future and humanity.”
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