The Squamish Chamber of Commerce will be helping local small businesses apply for grants from the federal government.
On May 4, the Chamber announced its grant writing program will be providing the town’s small businesses free access to grant writers who can help them apply for COVID-19 recovery grants.
“Over the last year, there have been a number of grants released to support our small businesses in pandemic recovery. We are aware that some of the grant programs are undersubscribed and received feedback from businesses on the challenges of navigating the programs, understanding eligibility criteria and finding time to apply.” said Louise Walker, executive director of the Chamber in a news release.
“The Chamber’s grant writing support program aims to alleviate some of these challenges and support our local businesses.”This program offers three levels of service (businesses may apply for one or more service level) including:
1) Discussion and Consultation — up to two hours
2) Grant Writing — up to eight hours
3) Revision and Review — up to two hours
The Squamish Chamber received funds for the initiative from the District of Squamish — via the B.C. Restart Grant.“The Squamish Chamber is committed to supporting Squamish businesses, and we are grateful to the District of Squamish for supporting the delivery of this new grant writing support service, which will ultimately benefit the Squamish economy and our community recovery.” Walker added.
The grant support service is available to both members and non-members of the Squamish Chamber who meet eligibility criteria. Eligible businesses must be Squamish-based and small-medium sized businesses. .Grant writing support is focused on COVID-19 business recovery grants.
Non-profits will be considered for COVID-19 business recovery grants.
For more information, access to eligibility criteria and the application form, go to www.squamishchamber.com/grant-writing-support
The Chamber also announced the creation of a Marketing Advisory Task Force.The goal of the Marketing Advisory Task Force is to create a forum for Squamish businesses to provide guidance and feedback on upcoming marketing campaigns to support local businesses, according to the release.
The task force is made up of:
• Christy Allan, Sea to Sky Gondola• Cath Croucher, Curated Dwelling
• Megan Davies, Squamish Farmers’ Market
• Brittany van Dyck, Fox and Oak
• Kimberly Clunk, Mountain FM
• Kurt Larson, Get in the Loop
• Martha McLellan, Martha McLellan Real Estate
• Marcus Monopoli, Happimess
• Kerry Neil, Squamish Downtown BIA
• Rochelle Smith, RRM Creative
• Jordan Stanzack, Square Digital
• Jennifer Stone, District of Squamish
• Lin Smith, O’Brien Pet Food and Supplies
• Amber Turnau, Substrate Studios
• Lesley Weeks, Tourism Squamish
Finally, the Chamber also announced a Squamish Buy Local Marketing Workshop.
The organization invites all Squamish businesses to join in on May 13 (9 a.m. to 11 a.m.) to discuss how a buy local campaign can support district businesses and how to engage in the campaign.Register for the free event at: www.locobc.ca/events/squamish-buy-local-marketing-workshop
