Accessibility

Accessing Our Office

Information about the building, access, parking, ramps, elevators, bathrooms, etc.

Accessing our Office

Programs and Services

Our programs and services are available to anyone living in the Central Kootenay region. If you need help accessing any of our programs or services, please let us know.

We recognize that starting and running a business can be a challenging process and we have several programs aimed to support people living with disabilities or persistent multiple barriers.

Entrepreneurs with Disabilities Program

Because we are a developmental lender, and because community economic development is our number one priority, we are able to interpret and prioritize lending criteria a bit differently than traditional banks.

Eligibility

To be eligible for the Entrepreneurs with Disabilities Program (EDP) Business Loan, the business:

• must be located in Central Kootenay (you are still eligible outside of the region, but you would need to visit your local Community Futures office).
• must demonstrate economic viability
• must have adequate loan security and owner investment
• owner has self-identified and self-disclosed a disability or ongoing health issue

The Community Futures Loans Program requires start-up business owners to demonstrate commitment through research, planning and resourcing their business plan.

Visit our Business Loans Program page for more information. Or contact our Business Loans staff , Don McCulloch (dm********@********bc.ca), Paul Kelly (pk****@********bc.ca) or Val Radcliffe (vr********@********bc.ca) to discuss your lending options.

Why should I ask for the Entrepreneurs with Disabilities Program loan?

EDP loans are more flexible to provide more opportunity for people with disabilities who may not meet traditional loan approval criteria (credit scores, adequate security, etc.). Furthermore, persons with disabilities applying for the EDP loan may be eligible for additional entrepreneurial training paid for by Community Futures.