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By Rachel Stern - Nanaimo News Bulletin
Published: November 10, 2008 3:00 PM
Business owners, government representatives and other organizations from the central Island met last week for a business roundtable consultation.
Kevin Krueger, minister of small business and revenue, led the Nov. 5 session to discuss ways to strengthen and support small businesses.
“What I liked was the government was saying what can we do to make small business work,” said Rick Gledhill, owner of Spindrift Rowboats.
Gledhill said two key issues for him were access to training like apprenticeships and securing business loans. He said the government should give more financial help to small businesses. Other issues discussed were employee recruitment and retention, small business regulations, access to training, climate change, transportation and green building.
“The thing that struck me is the commitment the government has to work with small businesses and to engage in dialogue with small business to identify key issues,” said Lee Mason, Greater Nanaimo Chamber of Commerce executive director.
Sherree Walter, Community Futures executive director, said there are support structures for small businesses, but the government needs to make people aware help is available.
Marilyn Hutchinson, City of Nanaimo economic development officer, said the roundtable was timely and the inclusion of small business is important to any economy.
reporter3@nanaimobulletin.com
