Update April 28, 2020
Stay YKA Connected with online resources to receive relevant and timely information and provide important and necessary tools for Kamloops businesses and residents to endure the COVID-19 crisis.
Here’s your YKAStrong checklist to stay up to date:
Follow us on Instagram: @yka_strong Review our weekly email send out below Visit our website: https://www.ykastrong.com Use #ykastrong on your social posts.
Business Window Decals
Show your Kamloops #ykastrong pride and display a decal. Pick up is available at the following locations. Email to arrange a pick up time.
- The Kamloops Chamber of Commerce
- North Shore Business Improvement Association
- Kamloops Central Business Improvement Association
- Community Futures
PARTNER UPDATES
Mayor Christian announces the Mayor’s Task Force for Economic Recovery and Renewal. The Task Force is intended to be a non-partisan, multi-sectoral think tank that will receive input from a variety of sectors, collate that input and suggest strategies and opportunities to help get Kamloops back on a positive economic trajectory. Read more here:
For information on the City’s COVID-19 efforts, please visit: https://letstalk.kamloops.ca/covid
Health & Safety: Makerspace has recently developed and produced face shields intended for individuals who continue to work during the pandemic. A supply of these face shields has been delivered to the CAP team office located at 340 Victoria Street, and is available for distribution. Should you or your business require face shields, please connect with anyone on the Downtown Kamloops team to make arrangements.
Communication: The KCBIA team continues to distribute details about the various federal and provincial programs intended to support small business, and employees. Information, and updates can be found on the Downtown Kamloops website.
Status of Downtown Businesses: We are making every effort to support and promote Downtown businesses that are remaining open, either for takeout, delivery, or providing online services. The Downtown Kamloops website includes the most recent business updates, including the Downtown To Go initiative that has been introduced. If there are updates to your Downtown business which you would like us to promote, please reach out and connect with our team.
The NSBIA continues to pursue opportunities to deliver the tools and knowledge our members need to navigate the current business environment.
Power Hour Member Development Program
This series of seven developmental webinars is designed to get you ready for the reopening of your business (pre-opening) and will focus on key topics to help you make sure you are creating the strongest internal organization you can. With our seven business and community leaders, we will explore how to; engage your clients, network through technology, assess your financial management, determine if loans are the right answer, strategize your business future, take your business online more effectively, and strategize the future of your non-profit organization.
Seating is limited and registration will be opening soon.
We need your help to extend our help
As a proud partner in #YKASTRONG TRU is committed to mobilizing our resources, research and people to extend practical value and support to Kamloops businesses during this uncertain time. But to help you best, we need your help.
So…
If you have a specific business problem you want to tackle—tell us about it!
Starting today, you can email a summary of your problem to yka@tru.ca for our review. This will help us prepare a response such as:
- An email reply vetted by faculty input from specialists from the School of Business and Economics, Faculty of Adventure, Culinary Arts and Tourism and other academic faculties.
- Scheduling a video-conference brainstorm with faculty, professionals and students including those connected with our Start-up Incubator, TRU Generator.
- Providing your details to the Research Office to expand on the database now being developed to influence COVID-19 related public policy decisions affecting individuals and organizations.
- Exploring whether your situation has the potential to become a class assignment.
Like any university, our currency is Knowledge. The more we know about your specific needs, the better we can generate specific knowledge that meets those needs. It’s one important way we can meet the commitment articulated in one of the four values of our new 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.”
A Message from the Honourable Lisa Beare, Minister of Tourism, Arts and Culture
The tourism sector has shown incredible leadership and we are grateful for our strong partnership as we navigate this crisis. We are doing everything we can to get support to you, and I know that many in the industry still have concerns about their ability to overcome this challenging time. I want you all to know that we are with you, and I am committed to continuing to advocate for further support from the federal government on behalf of B.C.’s tourism industry. Read More
Destination British Columbia highlights 7 ways to support British Columbia’s travel Industry… now. It draws attention to quite a few Kamloops initiatives like Harper’s Trail live wine tastings and Terra Kamloops’ how to make gnocchi video.
Connect with Venture Kamloops – COVID-19 Business Support
Venture Kamloops is working with our business community to get through the COVID-19 crisis. Schedule a virtual meeting with VK Staff to discuss COVID-19 and your business.
We can also help you learn about government support programs, and begin planning for the future & gain access to VK programs.
Learning Opportunities & Webinars
- Getting Your Business Online – Digital 101 is a Digital Meetup on Wednesday April 29 hosted by Small Business BC.
- COVID-19: How to get through the crisis with an online strategy is a free webinar on Thursday April 30 hosted by BDC.
ADVOCACY: Last week the Chamber Board released a public letter calling for commercial landlords and businesses to amicably work together. Read the letter 📝
DATA: Results from our networks recent ‘Pulse Check’ survey are now available, see how the Thompson-Okanagan compares to the rest of the province 📊
AWARDS: Support a local business by nominating them for a Business Excellence Award presented by MNP in one of eighteen award categories. Award information is available here 🏆
SUPPORT:The Chamber is working alongside community partners to host weekly virtual meetups to get you the information you need to navigate COVID-19. See upcoming meetups here. 🖥️
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 and 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’s 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.
COVID-19 Loan Program – CFTC is offering loans to businesses in the Kamloops area that have been affected by the COVID-19 outbreak resulting from Provincial/Federal regulations and associated social distancing. MORE INFO
COVID-19 Business Support Program
CFTC will be providing one to one virtual and phone support to businesses who require assistance to complete Federal and Provincial relief applications. This service is available to all Kamloops and area business owners. Businesses are able to access this service by calling the CFTC office at: 250-828-8772 or email at reception@communityfutures.net.
Kamloops passengers continue to be served by WestJet with 4 x weekly service to Calgary. Passengers are reminded that travel restrictions remain in place for any person showing symptoms of COVID-19. Latest information on travel restrictions can be found at Here.
Limited access to the Air Terminal Building remains available for the travelling public during scheduled flight times and passengers are reminded to observe physical distancing measures when in the facility. The Airport remains fully operational to serve charter, air cargo, medivac and wildfire flight activity.
Kamloops Airport Ltd. along with the Canadian Airports Council, are actively engaging the federal and provincial governments to ensure that Kamloops Airport and its stakeholders are well-represented on relief measures needed to continue delivery of a safe and secure operating environment for our community and business partners.
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