On May 4, 2020, Northern Development launched the Regional Business Liaison (RBL) program, in response to the COVID-19 pandemic and its impacts on businesses. By June 18, 11 applications were approved, providing boots on the ground capacity to support business recovery while working closely with community partners.
“This program provided critical resources to Community Futures Fraser-Fort George to be on the ground in communities and connecting with businesses and organizations to understand the significant challenges that business owners faced throughout the pandemic,” said Susan Stearns, general manager, Community Futures Development Corporation Fraser-Fort George.
In 2021, the program was extended with support from the Province of BC through Rural Business and Community Recovery funding. Since 2020, approximately 3,200 businesses in Northern B.C. have engaged with a regional business liaison.
“The Northern Development program has been extremely valuable to businesses by providing a local, easily accessible resource to businesses during this crisis. We were able to bring over $4.7 million of grants and financial support into our community and preserved over 75 jobs,” wrote Ellen Gross, RBL, Community Futures Development Corporation North Cariboo.
Community Futures offices, Chambers of Commerce and one regional district were all approved in June 2020 through the RBL program. Northern Development committed to funding 100 per cent of eligible expenses up to $75,000 per position.
