B.C. Recovery Grant Program

January 13, 2021 LDBA Admin

I am writing to you today to share some important changes to the B.C. Recovery Grant Program was originally launched in October. As you may be aware this program provides non-repayable grants to small and medium-sized businesses in B.C. who have lost revenue due to the current COVID pandemic. There is a total of $345 million in funding available and the funds are distributed on a first come first serve basis. As of this week, approximately 30% of the funding has already been distributed.

I want to ensure that businesses in our community are taking advantage of this program and would like to request your assistance in sharing this information with businesses in our community.

Since launching BC’s small- and medium-sized Recovery Grant program in October, we have heard from the small business community that the program could be enhanced to help more businesses. Our government listened to that feedback, and I am happy to tell you that we have made a number of changes to the program that will help more businesses get help more quickly.

Overall, the changes have simplified the application process and streamline criteria. Businesses that have already submitted applications do not have to reapply, and their applications will be reviewed under the revised criteria. Key changes include:

Lowering the requirement for the amount of time a business had to have been in operation from three years to 18 months.
Removing the requirement to list a number of remittance accounts such as GST, PST, and WorkSafeBC registration numbers.
Extended the grants to sole proprietors with fixed costs.
Expanding the revenue requirements to include businesses that continue to earn 30 percent or less in revenue.
Streamlining the required recovery plan to a two-page form.
Increasing the total amount of funding to $345M from $300M, which includes a $100M envelope for the tourism sector and a top-up of up to $15,000 for tourism businesses.

The program is already providing targeted financial support for some of the hardest-hit businesses in BC. The program runs until March 31^st, 2021, or until the funds are fully allocated, whichever comes first. More information, including the online application, can be found online at www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/economic-recovery/business-recovery-grant. I am also attaching a fact sheet for your reference.

B.C. entered the pandemic as an economic leader in Canada, and we are committed to supporting small businesses to reopen, adapt, hire, and grow. I thank you for your hard work and dedication in these difficult times and I hope this program will be of benefit to businesses in our community who have suffered due to COVID-19.

Download the fact sheet (PDF)

Sincerely,
Doug Routley MLA Nanaimo-North Cowichan

douglas [dot] routley [dot] mla [at] leg [dot] bc [dot] ca

www.dougroutley.ca

Nanaimo | Unit 112- 50 Tenth Street (Southgate Plaza)
P. 250.716.5221 | F. 250.716.5222

Ladysmith | #1-16 High Street
P. 250.245.9375 | F. 250.245.8164

Initiatives

Tourism Cowichan: Discover Your New Getaway

October 12, 2020 LDBA Admin

There’s something special about fall. The shorter days, and longer nights have people seeking relaxing experiences, while the crisp, fresh air also makes us want to get outside and soak up the golden autumn sunshine. It’s invigorating and tranquil at the same time.

Fall in Cowichan is no different. The bright reds and golden yellows of the farmland and hillsides seem almost unreal, while the mist that settles along the ocean and in the valley give off a mystical vibe. It truly is a world away from ordinary.

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Source: Tourism Cowichan

Initiatives

Tourism Cowichan: Locally Grown; Locally Made

October 12, 2020 LDBA Admin

Fall Spots in Cowichan

Fall in Cowichan is no different. The bright reds and golden yellows of the farmland and hillsides glow, while the mist that settles along the ocean and in the valley give off a mystical vibe.

Ladysmith:

This seaside town is chock full of restored heritage buildings – vestiges of a frontier past financed by coal and lumber.

The downtown core is also home to a wide variety of shops, boutiques, bookstores, antique dealers and more eateries than you can shake a stick at. Spend a Saturday perusing the shops with a coffee and a famous cinnamon bun from Old Town Bakery, or stop for dinner at Plantitude, Ladysmith’s only vegan restaurant, or Maya Norte, a Spanish-Mexican fusion restaurant.

A walking tour of Ladysmith’s heritage route will take you past the heritage artifacts lining First Avenue and then ultimately to the Waterfront Art Gallery and BC’s only floating museum.

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Source: Tourism Cowichan

Events

Ladysmith’s Historic First Avenue Wins National Great Street Title

November 4, 2017 LDBA Admin

Ladysmith’s First Avenue wins national Great Places in Canada contest – Great Street!

Ladysmith, November 8, 2017 – Ladysmith’s beautiful and historic First Avenue has been selected by the Canadian Institute of Planners (CIP) as Canada’s 2017 Great Street. The award was decided by a jury of certified planning professionals during the Great Places in Canada contest. CIP’s review of 17 submissions from across Canada was based on a set of criteria of planning best practices that considered social, economic, and accessibility and safety factors, and elements such as design, culture, history, and landscape.

Jury Statement

First Avenue exhibits all of the qualities one would expect from a great street: visually-interesting building facades, generous sidewalks, attractive landscaping and artistic details, places to rest, and places to gather.

This street, with its diverse mixture of local businesses, housing and services, has been a focal point of daily life for community members for more than a century. Streetscape enhancements, heritage preservation, the adaptive reuse of historic buildings, and the many unique and publicly accessible festivals and events held throughout the year, are key ingredients to First Avenue’s success as a Great Street.

The jury acknowledges the community’s commitment to defining and celebrating First Avenue as the heart of Ladysmith’s downtown core.

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“We are absolutely thrilled the Canadian Institute of Planners has chosen First Avenue as Canada’s Great Street. This is an incredible honour for our community and showcases the pivotal role First Avenue has played in helping to shape Ladysmith’s identity as a charming, diverse and vibrant west coast community,” said Ladysmith Mayor Aaron Stone.

Great Places in Canada contest winners were announced on World Town Planning Day, an internationally celebrated day that recognizes the accomplishments of professional planners and their contributions to communities. Other British Columbia winning communities included Coquitlam, which was awarded Great Public Space for its Town Centre Park, and Main Street in Smithers, which received the People’s Choice: Great Street.

“The last time a B.C. community received the Canada’s Great Street honour was back in 2011. Winning this award for 2017 truly acknowledges our community’s commitment to defining and celebrating First Avenue as the heart of downtown Ladysmith and highlights the significance of this exceptional street and its importance to our community,” said Guillermo Ferrero, Town of Ladysmith City Manager.