The Northern Development Initiative Trust launched a one-year program on Monday to help local businesses throughout the north get through the COVID-19 pandemic.
The Regional Business Liaison program provides funding for Community Futures development corporations, chambers of commerce, local governments and community economic development agencies to hire local people to provide business support services for their region.
“The COVID-19 pandemic is causing overwhelming stress to many of our local business owners who are often unsure of where or who to turn to," Northern Development CEO Joel McKay said in a press release. "The Regional Business Liaison program seeks to offset that stress and offer one-on-one business support to those who need it most in northern B.C.”
Funding will be available for up to three positions per region (Prince George, northeast, northwest and Cariboo-Chilcotin/Lillooet), for a one-year term. NDIT will cover 100 per cent of the cost of the program for one year, up to $75,000 per position.
Organizations must submit their applications by May 29, and Northern Development will process and approve applications within a week of receiving them.
“We know that businesses across B.C. are struggling in the wake of the slowdown caused by COVID-19," B.C. Jobs Minister Michelle Mungall said in a press release. "Northern Development’s liaison program will deliver welcome support for small and medium enterprises by helping them navigate a path to economic recovery."
For more information, go online to www.northerndevelopment.bc.ca/funding-programs/business-development/regional-business-liaison/.
