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City consults with small businesses through BizRide program

For the first time the City of Prince George is taking time to send out teams of staff to check the pulse of the city's small businesses in person.

For the first time the City of Prince George is taking time to send out teams of staff to check the pulse of the city's small businesses in person.

This year's BizRide program sent out five teams Tuesday afternoon to visit 29 business in five different commercial areas: downtown, the Hart, the Carter Light Industrial Area, the BCR Industrial Site and College Heights.

Cindi Pohl, president of the Chamber of Commerce, said the partnership is about creating a positive business climate in Prince George and fostering connections.

"Most of our members are small businesses that are not always able to leave their enterprises to come out to city hall or a chamber event so we thought why not visit them instead of asking them to visit us?" said Pohl at the Tuesday afternoon announcement at Trim Line Graphics & Signs. "(Before) it was all separate and we thought why not open it up? So it was almost a vehicle to invite businesses to have the conversation."

Mayor Lyn Hall said he's looking forward to hearing from owners what it's like working with the city.

"Whether or not things are good or bad or things are plugging along - we want to know as a city. We want to hear that feedback," said Hall.

The timing for BizRide is appropriate, said Hall, because it's Small Business Month in B.C. and locally, the city is leading its Talktober sessions in various neighbourhoods. Small businesses make up 98 per cent of all business in B.C. and account for 33 per cent of the province's gross domestic product, a city media release noted.

BizRide
Cindi Pohl, president of the Chamber of Commerce, with Mayor Lyn Hall at the BizRide announcement. - Citizen staff

"It's about us reconnecting to community," said Hall, adding the feedback will inform planning in the same way the Talktober discussions do. "It gives senior staff the opportunity to alter the way they do business if they're hearing loud and clear that we need to make changes somewhere."

Trim Line owner Nolan Nicholson said he hasn't had the opportunity to speak with the city in this way, and typically deals with staff for sign and electrical permits.

"I think if it's done properly it's going to help businesses to engage," said Nicholson, adding he's been happy with the city's approach and wouldn't typically reach out unless he had a problem. "The businesses have to buy in. I don't want this to be a waste of time so as long as people are engaging I think it's a great idea."