The immediate impacts of COVID-19 are being felt by businesses across British Columbia. Here are helpful links to information on small business programs and support.
Need Staff? Be sure to list your positions on WorkBC – Click HERE to create a profile
For all SUNSHINE COAST specific business support visit the Sunshine Coast Business Recovery Centre
Government of Canada Website – For Businesses
Useful Link for updated information for businesses:
BC Small Business COVID-19
covid@smallbusinessbc.ca & live chat
Small Business BC Hotline: 1-833-254-4357
Sell Gift Certificates Online
In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, Support Local BC has created a website to allow customers to purchase gift certificates for local, independent businesses in British Columbia. This helps us support our community, encourage social distancing, and will allow businesses to maintain some cash flow while we tackle this incredibly difficult situation.
Each community has its own page on the site. Check out all the Communities.
How the Gift Certificate Process Works for Businesses
The buyer gets an order confirmation email which has a unique order number and serves as their gift certificate or certificates if they purchase multiple. This includes the business name and the amount. The buyer will print it off and bring it to you or show it on their smartphone. On the back end, Support Local BC has a business portal that shows gift certificate sales for each business in real-time. Businesses use this portal to manage the gift certificates and redeem them as they are used. Businesses do not need to issue their own gift certificates. Funds for gift certificate sales are sent weekly via direct deposit using a service called WayPay. Please note: There is no charge for payment processing fees to businesses – they will receive the full value of the gift certificates purchased.
If you would like to have your business included on this website, please complete the form and we’ll get you added.
Partners
Support Local BC is inspired and managed by Think Local First, funded by community organizations as well as by our Founding Partner, Vancity. Community outreach is done by LOCO BC. Northern Development Initiative Trust and BCEDA. Fortis BC has dedicated some of its call centre resources to answer phone questions.
If you would like to have your business included on this website, please complete the form and we’ll get you added.
Questions? Check out the FAQs or contact Support Local BC.