Downtown passersby might notice many acts of guerilla upkeep going on.

It is part of Small Business Month in B.C.

The teams of youth from the Future Cents Program are targeting a dozen businesses who applied to the Chamber of Commerce for a winter readiness cleanup. The youth teams will be sprucing up storefronts by washing windows, cleaning awnings, and sweeping sidewalks. It is the chamber's way of inciting a shiny, fresh business community and start off Small Business Month with a clean slate.

"We need to recognize the contributions of small business not only for our economy but as a builder of our community," said Jennifer Brandle-McCall, CEO of the Prince George Chamber of Commerce. "As a community, we can't take it for granted that a business will always be there. Entrepreneurs take a significant risk, and we as a community need to recognize that and invest in that."

The Business Development Bank of Canada, a federal Crown corporation with a Prince George branch, came out to support the Chamber's efforts to launch Small Business Month, and this year's theme of Aim High-Invest In Your Future.

"One of the best investments a small business can make is in technology," said BDC spokesperson Krista Larsen, as one suggestion for entrepreneurs looking at stimulating their business. She invited the public, especially small business owners with financing questions, to an open house at the BDC offices (177 Victoria Street) on the morning of Oct. 16.

Another open house will be held this month, on Oct. 11, hosted by the Community Futures Development Corporation (1566 7th Ave.) from 5 p.m. to 6:30 p.m.

Brandle-McCall called these two partners the first two stops an aspiring business owner should make in the development of their entrepreneurial plan.

Other Small Business Month partners with the Chamber include the Downtown Business Improvement Association, Initiatives Prince George, Northern Development Initiative Trust, and the Aboriginal Business Development Centre.

A private-sector partner is the Prince George Cougars. The hockey team will host a business showcase at their home game Friday night. Any downtown business wishing to have a table at the game is asked to contact the DBIA no later than today (250-614-1330 or ls...@downtownprincegeorge.com).