Our priority is to create a diverse and resilient Basin economy that is supported by strong businesses, a trained workforce and sufficient job opportunities. We provide programs and initiatives to support economic growth, employment, business vibrancy and workforce development.
To aid local small businesses during this challenging time, the Trust has low-interest loans available through its Small Business Working Capital Loan program to help businesses meet their immediate needs.
To support Basin food producers impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic and to help bolster the region’s food supply, create employment and alleviate longer-term economic impacts caused by the pandemic, the Trust is offering new Basin Food Producer Loans.
The Trust has increased support to existing programs, including the Career Internship Program, Basin Business Advisors, Training Fee Support and Wage Subsidies.
What's New
Buying Local Made Easy Through Online Festival September 22, 2021 - From touring a local restaurant to virtually exploring the workshop of a local artisan to seeing the latest in family fashion, the #BuyBasin Festival takes you live to local businesses around the Columbia Basin. Attendees will learn about the local goods and services offered right here in the region, and how to keep their spending power close to home. Hosted by Columbia Basin Trust and delivered by FestivalSeekers, the event takes place this fall on Facebook and Instagram from October 18 to November 10.
Creating Jobs While Focusing on Wildfire Reduction July 21, 2021 - 16 projects receive $1.7 million through Columbia Basin Trust and the Province Wildfire prevention is increasingly required in communities across the Basin. Thanks to a partnership between the Province of BC and the Trust, 16 new wildfire risk reduction projects […]
Scholarship Supports Student Dreams and Career Aspirations June 10, 2021 - 2021 Neil Muth Memorial Scholarship recipients announced Four students in the Columbia Basin who have shown perseverance and triumphed over adversity are the recipients of financial support to advance their educational aspirations. Jet Noble from Creston, Ti Loran from South […]View all Economic articles.
Funding
- If you are a primary food producer expanding operations due to increased pandemic-related demand, you may be eligible for a Basin Food Producer Loan.
- If you are an organization wanting to create and deliver campaigns and events designed to encourage people in the Basin to buy, stay and play local, the Buy Local Grants may be able to help.
- If you own a small business or social enterprise, you may be eligible for the Small Business Working Capital Loans, to assist with the challenges of COVID-19.
- If you represent a business or organization who wishes to hire an intern, check out our Career Internship Program. It provides eligible employers with up to 50 per cent of an intern’s salary (up to $25,000 over a seven to 12 month term) for full-time, career-focused positions that lead to permanent employment.
- If you represent a business that wishes to hire a full-time student (including an apprentice) on a part-time basis during the school year, our School Works Program could help you afford it.
- If you represent a business that wishes to hire a high-school or post-secondary student in a full-time entry-level or career-related job over the summer, our Summer Works Program could help you afford it.
- If you’re a Basin resident who needs short-term training to increase your chances of getting a job, our Training Fee Support program could help you pay for it.
- If your business needs financial support but isn’t able to secure conventional financing, our Impact Investment Fund may be able to help.
- If your organization has a project idea that creates jobs related to wildfire risk reduction you may be eligible for the Crown Land Wildfire Risk Reduction Program – Columbia Basin Economic Recovery Initiative.
Covid-19 Support
- The Small Business Working Capital Loans provide working capital and operating funds for Basin-based small businesses and social enterprises to assist with the challenges of COVID-19. Loan funds may also be used for costs associated with technology adoption.
- To support Basin food producers impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic and to help bolster the region’s food supply, create employment and alleviate longer-term economic impacts caused by the pandemic, the Trust is offering Basin Food Producer Loans.
- If you need support making your business stronger, you can access the Basin Business Advisors program for no-cost confidential, one-to-one business advisement services, including preparing your business for a technology-enabled future. Business advisors are available to provide timely, reliable and relevant information on mitigating the impact of COVID-19 as well as how to act on opportunities.
- The Trust has increased support to existing programs, including the Career Internship Program, and Wage Subsidy programs.
- The Training Fee Support program helps unemployed and underemployed people, and those temporarily laid off due to COVID-19, take short-term courses, online or in-person, that help them secure employment. This program provides up to $1,000 for tuition. People that are self-employed, plus workers who need to diversify their skills to adapt to businesses that have modified their products or services due to COVID-19 are eligible
Other Support
- If your businesses is positioned to grow the Basin RevUp program may be able to help. It is a business growth accelerator program that provides customized support, training and networking to growth stage companies, based in the Columbia Basin Trust region. If your business is interested in being considered for the program, review the Program Guide, and eligibility and commitment criteria.
- If you need support making your business stronger, you can access the Basin Business Advisors program for no-cost confidential, one-to-one business advisement services, including preparing your business for a technology-enabled future.
- If you need support making your non-profit organization stronger, our Non-profit Advisors Program can help you increase capacity, become more sustainable and become more efficient.
Past Strategy
In 2017 the Trust developed its Economic Strategic Framework and allocated $20 million to innovative programs and initiatives to support economic growth, employment, business vibrancy and workforce development. Highlights from this support can be viewed here.
In 2020 six priorities were developed to guide how the Trust would focus its efforts. One of the six priorities is support for business renewal. Read the Columbia Basin Management Plan Strategic Priorities 2020-2022.
Resources
Read about Shipping and Logistics in the Basin for information that might help your business.
An Information Webinar was held on April 11, 2018 for the Trust’s Request for Expressions of Interest for Basin Business Opportunities. View it here
Contact
Jon Exley
Manager, Economic
jexley@ourtrust.org
250.304.1671
Location: Castlegar
Katie Kendall
Senior Manager, Special Initiatives
kkendall@ourtrust.org
250.344.7065
Location: Golden
