Community Futures Fraser Fort George
Community Futures is a community-based economic renewal initiative, established by the Federal Government in 1985. Their main objectives are to help rural Canadians start or expand a business and to help sustain and improve communities and their local economies.
Community Futures Fraser Fort George serves Prince George, Mackenzie, and the Robson Valley, including the Village of McBride, with programs, workshops, lending and coaching.
Programs
Community Futures Fraser Fort George offers a wide variety of programs in support of business growth, including:
- Self-Employment Program
- Export Navigator
- Regional Business Liaison
- Entrepreneurs with Disabilities
- Agriculture
Find out more at https://cfdc.bc.ca/what-we-offer/programs/#open.
Workshops
Community Futures regularly hosts in-person and online workshops and training sessions in the Robson Valley in support of business development, often partnering with the Village of McBride.
Check out the Community Futures event calendar - https://cfdc.bc.ca/calendar/.
Here are some examples of past workshops and training sessions held in McBride and Dunster, and online:
2023
- Community Futures presentation and one-on-one meetings during the Robson Valley Economic Development Forum (Dunster) - hosted by the Village of McBride
- Sustainable Not-For-Profit (Dunster)
- Food Business Planning (Dunster)
- On-Farm Research Workshop Series (online)
2022
- Procurement Workshop (McBride) - in partnership with the Village of McBride
- Cannabis Economic Round Table (online)
2021
- Taking Care of Business Conference (online)
- Ready, Set, Launch - A business Incubator for Women (online)
2020
- Tax Tips and Changes Workshop (McBride) - in partnership with the Village of McBride
- Grow or Start a Child Care Service Business (McBride) - in partnership with the Village of McBride
2019
- Growing Your Business Through Inclusivity (McBride) - in partnership with the Village of McBride
- Leadership is Everyone's Business (McBride)
2018
- Hiring and Retaining Employees for Small Businesses (McBride)
- Social Media Marketing (McBride) - in partnership with the Village of McBride
- Sustainable Not-For-Profit (McBride)
- Grow your Agribusiness series (McBride)
Services for Businesses
Community Futures Fraser Fort George has loaned over $27.5 million to businesses across our region. Community Futures’ loan funds help support small businesses in our region when traditional lenders are unable to.
Community Futures provides business loans for start up or purchase.
Find more information at https://cfdc.bc.ca/financing/.
Community Futures can assist business owners, or those considering to become a small business owner, with attaining financing, creating a business plan, and accessing tools and resources for the different challenges and opportunities small business owners may face.
For more information, go to: https://cfdc.bc.ca/support-for-businesses/.
Start a Business
Community Futures, are here to listen to your business idea and help you develop the right options for your business. To find out how Community Futures can help, join them for a free information session every Thursday at alternating locations.
Community Futures offers workshops and training on topics relevant to northern small business owners and entrepreneurs. These include marketing and advertising, social media, financial management and legal issues, among others.
For more information, go to https://cfdc.bc.ca/start-for-businesses/.
Grow a Business
Since 1986, Community Futures has been helping small businesses throughout the Fraser Fort George Region. During the past 34 years, they have authorized loans totalling more than $30.6 million to over 773 businesses, creating or maintaining over 3,412 jobs.
Find out how Community Futures can help. Join them for a free information session every Thursday at alternating locations. Please phone 250-562-9622 for more info, or to register.
Check out https://cfdc.bc.ca/grow-for-businesses/.
Sell a Business
Community Future's Venture Connect is designed to work with you to make selling your business a less stressful part of the continuation of your business. Their staff are business succession specialists, providing professional guidance to BC business owners to plan for their transition and ready their business for sale, through Real Estate or as a For Sale by Owner.
Venture Connect also assists potential business buyers. Their services are designed to help you find the business that best suits you and your requirements.
Find out more at https://cfdc.bc.ca/sell-for-businesses/.
