Northern Development Initiative Trust is spreading the Small Town Love.
The buy-local program originally launched in Quesnel last year by entrepreneur Amy Quarry to celebrate central and northern B.C.'s unique independent businesses.
NDIT partnered with Quarry to replicate the program in six northern communities - Logan Lake, 100 Mile House, Valemount, Fort St. James, Vanderhoof and Burns Lake. The pilot program was a success, with more than 200 businesses registered.
Funding has been provided to continue the program through 2015, with McBride, Telkwa, Smither, Fraser Lake, Granisle, Ashcroft, Houston, Lytton and the Northern Rockies Regional Municipality all signed on for participation this year.
On the industry side, NDIT will work with the ministry of jobs, tourism and skill training to deliver a series of seminars to help B.C.-based businesses take advantage of major liquefied natural gas projects.
The seminars will aim to build on successful events held in 2013.
A number of boot camps focusing on procurement opportunities and processes associated with the more than 10 LNG export terminals proposed for development in B.C. and request for proposal seminars are scheduled for Prince George, Kelowna, Terrace, Prince Rupert and Kitimat throughout the year.
"These workshops will generate value for entrepreneurs throughout BC. and help the Trust deliver on its mandate to build a stronger north," said NDIT CEO Janine North, in a press release.
