Basin businesses to benefit from enhanced program

Amber Hayes of Rossland is program manager for the BBA program.

Columbia Basin Trust (CBT) has committed $1,980,000 in funding over the next three years to the Basin Business Advisors (BBA) program. Delivered by Community Futures (CF), the program aims to build economic capacity in Basin communities by strengthening and supporting all business models.

“As we move into our new agreement with Community Futures to deliver the enhanced BBA program, we would like to join Community Futures in welcoming the new program staff on board,” said Neil Muth, CBT president and CEO. “We encourage existing businesses to connect with these experts in order to take advantage of the recently expanded program.”

BBA supports small- and medium-sized businesses in the Basin by providing free, one-to-one, confidential business counselling and assessment services, and by arranging and cost-sharing specialized consulting services. These services are now available to all business models, including social enterprises. Starting this fall, the program will also offer pre-start-up entrepreneurial education to individuals or organizations exploring entrepreneurship or considering purchasing or starting a business.

BBA staff are:

·         Program Manager: Amber Hayes (based out of CF Central Kootenay in Nelson);

·         Central Basin Business Advisor: Barb Williams (based out of CF Central Kootenay);

·         Southwest Basin Business Advisor: Wendy Morrison (based out of CF Greater Trail);

·         North Basin Business Advisor: Roberta Ciolli (based out of CF Revelstoke); and

·         East Basin Business Advisor: Will Nixon (based out of CF East Kootenay in Cranbrook).

“Community Futures is thrilled to be expanding our services and team to enhance our support to existing and new entrepreneurs,” said Andrea Wilkey, executive director, Community Futures Central Kootenay. “Our new BBA team members bring a diverse set of skills and expertise and are looking forward to working with Basin entrepreneurs to help them succeed.”

To learn more about BBA and connect with one of our Basin Business Advisors, visit cbt.org/bba or call 1.855.510.2227.

CBT supports efforts to deliver social, economic and environmental benefits to the residents of the Columbia Basin. To learn more about CBT programs and initiatives, visit cbt.org or call 1.800.505.8998.

Community Futures is a not-for-profit community economic development organization that is committed to helping people who are operating or are planning to start their own businesses. For information on CF programs, call 1.250.352.1933 or visit futures.bc.ca.