Ulli Mueller named Community Futures Volunteer of the Year

Mueller has volunteered on Community Futures Central Kootenay's loans committee for more than a decade.

Longtime Community Futures volunteer Ulli Mueller holds her 2016 Volunteer of the Year certificate with Community Futures staff members Andrea Wilkey, Val Radcliffe and Don McCulloch, and Board Director Frances Swan — Photo courtesy of futures.bc.ca.

Community Futures Central Kootenay is pleased to recognize Ulli Mueller as its 2016 Volunteer of the Year.

Ulli has been a volunteer member of Community Futures' loans committee since 2005. In that role, she provides input on the dozens of loans approved each year in the Central Kootenay offices.

"We rely on community-minded people like Ulli to understand the impact a prospective loan might have in an area," Loans Manager Don McCulloch explained.

Community Futures is not a formula lender, which means every loan application is assessed on its own merit. Of particular importance to Community Futures is evaluating whether a business venture will create and/or maintain jobs in a community and help to diversify the rural economy.

"Ulli is very invested in the community of Nakusp, and she has kept us informed on what's going on there," McCulloch added.

Ulli has lived in Nakusp for 35 years. She is a four-term town councillor and volunteer with numerous community groups. She is also the Continuing Education Coordinator for Selkirk College Nakusp.

"She has been a valuable asset to Community Futures Central Kootenay over the past 11 years and we want to thank her for her dedication, commitment and leadership," McCulloch said.

Community Futures Central Kootenay is a not-for-profit community economic development organization with offices in Nelson, Nakusp and Creston. Its services and tools are designed to help entrepreneurs and small business owners achieve their goals through business planning advice and loans, as well as self-employment assistance.

For more information, visit futures.bc.ca.