The 2017-18 fiscal year has been a dynamic time for Community Futures Central Kootenay board and staff members with the advancement of several exciting programs and awards, including:
- Export Navigator – Kootenay-Boundary businesses from a variety of sectors will continue to receive the benefits of this successful pilot. This pilot offers businesses access to community-based Export Advisor, Michael Hoher, who provides a personalized approach to exporting.
- Basin Business Agriculture Advisor – farms and agricultural producers can now get specialized business advice through Columbia Basin Trust’s Basin Business Advisors thanks to a new full-time agriculture business specialist, Tracey Fredrickson.
- Rural Dividend Fund – CFCK successfully accessed $200,000 in community economic development project funding through the BC Rural Dividend Fund. The Imagine Kootenay Program received $100,000 to enhance Imagine Kootenay’s website tools and digital advertising strategy to increase investment in the region. The Nelson Innovation Centre received $100,000 to operationalize the facility, and pilot programs and services for the technology sector.
- Small Business Training Centre – for 25 years, we have offered business training opportunities to our clients and the public. This September, our training centre won the Award for Excellence and Innovation at the annual Community Futures British Columbia conference.
In addition to these initiatives, our core programming continues to deliver up-to-date information, education, and support through our Business Loans Program, Self-Employment Program, and Basin Business Advisors Program.
