August 2023 - Community Futures North Okanagan

‘Thankful they believed in us’: Loan Helps Rusty Spur Rope a New Store

August 29, 2023/in Success Story

Stuart Anderson and Andrea Mann stand below the tall timber Rusty Spur sign that tells Lumby the beloved farm, feed and pet store has proudly opened the doors to a new home on Shuswap Avenue.

Customers honk and wave as they pass and pull into the parking lot so they can shop for animal feed and supplies in a building that’s nearly five times bigger than the previous location.

“We outgrew our previous space and when we found this building, we saw it as a huge opportunity for future growth,” says Stuart. He and his wife Andrea have co-owned the Lumby store for over four of its 19 years at the original Highway 6 location with the iconic horse statue outside.

The building they came upon is 6,500 square feet, has parking for nearly 30 vehicles and is easily accessible for delivery trucks. The couple could see what a difference it would make for their customers if they could expand the breadth and variety of their stock—but how would they buy the building and have enough capital to invest in more inventory?

“We were able to cover a large portion of the mortgage through a traditional lender and hoped Community Futures would be able to support the loan for the rest,” says Stuart.

Scot McNair, business analyst at Community Futures North Okanagan, stepped in to support the Rusty Spur loans application.

“To have Scot behind us through the process meant we had someone looking out for us and guide us through the process, and he was there to bounce off ideas and questions.”

As is common with commercial property transactions, complexities presented themselves with easements and environmental conditions—several of which were flagged by Scot and navigated by a team of professionals including a lawyer, real estate agent, primary lender and others. CF North Okanagan covered some of those transactions and when the environmental assessments came back clean:

“We all had peace of mind and we knew we were making the right decision. We feel very fortunate that we were able to benefit from their consultative nature, expertise and focus on supporting a growing business in this community.”

Nearly two years after the idea to buy a building came to the Rusty Spur owners, the new location opened in August. They opened their Enderby store 2021 and also operate their online store. In both communities, Rusty Spur has become a community hub for small farmers, hobby farmers, and pet owners.

Not far from the big new sign, Stuart and Andrea will create a pond, gazebo and picnic tables as a casual community gathering space and watering hole for dogs.

“This is reflective of our dedication the community,” says Stuart, adding that none of it would have been possible without Scot, Leigha Horsfield and the loans committee at Community Futures North Okanagan.

“We’re so thankful they believed in us.”

Ready to grow your business? Learn how our business loans and resources can help you reach your goals. https://www.futuresbc.com/

New Shuswap RNIP coordinator helps businesses thrive

August 21, 2023/in News

SALMON ARM, BC—Shuswap business owners have a new source of support in navigating the program that helps them hire skilled newcomers and fast-tracks permanent residency. In 2023 alone, the Rural and Northern Immigration Pilot (RNIP) has helped fill more than 175 job postings in the North Okanagan and Shuswap area, many with experienced workers already living in the region.

“We’ve been extremely successful in supporting the matches of skilled workers and employers,” says Caroline Grover, the new Salmon Arm-based RNIP coordinator. “With the RNIP program, if the applicant meets the qualifications, it can be a quick match. We’re seeing how experienced workers are often already here in the community and with the help of the program and a firm job offer, they’re able to receive permanent resident status, and they already have housing in place.”

For employers, the RNIP process begins with checking business eligibility and joining an employer training session. After filling out three simple forms, including a short offer of employment, a job can be posted and employers can interview in person if the candidate is already working in BC. After the candidate is approved the RNIP recommendation committee, the RNIP team issues a letter of recommendation and candidates can apply for permanent residency and once approved, the candidate can start work. Since the pilot launched in the North Okanagan five years ago, 558 recommendations have been made.

“It’s a very streamlined, simple process for business owners, and providing that link between employer and candidates with diverse, impressive skill sets has a very holistic benefit to the community,” says Grover. She’s lived in Salmon Arm for the last six years and brings nearly 25 years of experience supporting business growth for the benefit of community, including roles as economic development officer in Salmon Arm and as CEO of the Kelowna Chamber of Commerce.

“All of us can see firsthand how the community can be affected when we don’t have enough workers to fill jobs,” says Grover, citing delayed home renovations and empty shelves due to a lack of trades and transportation workers. “Without employees, businesses can’t grow and thrive, and contribute to community. Fortunately, they have this resource and someone right here to help.”

Right now, RNIP is focusing on applications for priority industries, including health care; trades, transportation and equipment operators; and education, government and community service workers. These industries qualify for event faster processing. The pilot, now in its fifth and final year, draws to a close in February, 2024, with the hope of helping hundreds more skilled newcomers find employment at local businesses.

The RNIP is made possible through funding from the Government and Canada and the Province of British Columbia.

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ABOUT COMMUNITY FUTURES NORTH OKANAGAN

Community Futures North Okanagan is a not-for-profit organization that supports economic development projects and helps our business community, job-seekers, and employers succeed. As a community-based organization with roots in Vernon dating back to 1984, Community Futures acts as a leader to create opportunities for growth and success across the North Okanagan. A team of nearly 45 staff provide workshops, programs and services for three departments: Business Services, Employment Services, and Economic Development. Visit www.futuresbc.com to learn more.

For more information, media can contact:

Leigha Horsfield

Executive Director, Community Futures North Okanagan

250 545 2215 x 256

leighah@futuresbc.com

WorkBC Vernon helps clients access short-term skills training grant

August 9, 2023/in News

VERNON, BC—Thinking about changing careers or advancing your career, but need new skills to get there? WorkBC Employment Services in Vernon is encouraging clients to access the new StrongerBC Future Skills Grant, which covers up to $3,500 in training for short-term courses ranging from microbrewing to medical office assistant.

Any BC resident aged 19 years or older can qualify for the training grant, regardless of financial need. Kim Lauritsen, employment services manager, WorkBC Employment Services in Vernon, says the grant will be especially beneficial for local WorkBC clients receiving Employment Insurance (EI) or income supports.

“These dollars will go such a long way for those who have had an interest in exploring a new career or advancing their skills to help get back in the job market,” says Lauritsen. “This is a practical way for many in our community to move into higher paying jobs that fit their future.”

A growing list of more than 400 training programs at public post-secondary institutions in BC are eligible for the StrongerBC Future BC Skills Grant, including nearly 30 programs offered through Okanagan College. The team at WorkBC can help clients decide which skills and career paths to pursue, offer guidance through the process and—if they are receiving EI, BC Employment and Assistance (BCEA), or Income Support—help make sure they don’t lose any benefits.

With two full service centres in Vernon and Enderby, plus outreach offices in Armstrong and Lumby, the WorkBC team can also help eligible clients in applying for additional financial supports such as daycare or living supports to make it possible to attend training, no matter where they are in the North Okanagan.

“We’re here to help make it possible for North Okanagan residents to follow their passion, access this short-term skills training grant and get into the next stage of their career,” says Lauritsen.

To get started, North Okanagan residents can call or stop by WorkBC Vernon, and learn more at https://www.educationplannerbc.ca/plan/finance/future-skills-grant

ABOUT WORKBC NORTH OKANAGAN
WorkBC North Okanagan helps employers and job-seekers reach their goals through a range of services, including learning and workshops, Wage Subsidy placements, job search resources, employment counselling, job fairs and more. The Vernon office is located at 3105 33 Street and is now supporting clients both in-person and virtually.
https://workbccentre-vernon.ca/

For more information, media can contact:
Kim Lauritsen
Employment Services Manager
T 250 545 2215 x 244
kiml@futuresbc.com