Small business success in Nakusp

Submitted by the Nakusp & District Chamber of Commerce

For the past few years, October has been officially proclaimed Small Business Month in BC by the Ministry of Small Business, Technology and Economic Development.  Small business plays an important role in creating jobs and a strong community, which are essential for our economic sustainability.

The Nakusp & District Chamber of Commerce is a service organization which supports the business community by promoting the Nakusp and Arrow Lakes Region economically, socially and environmentally.  We are a membership-based organization, and have seen an increase of 20 per cent in our membership numbers this year.

In May of this year, the Chamber of Commerce held it’s second annual Business & Career Expo which showcased small businesses in our area, employment and training options, as well as available programs and funding for small business start-ups.  There were many opportunities for networking among local and out of town businesses and expo visitors, with a good mix of familiar faces from last year, and new exhibitors.

Tourism has played a large part in the success of small business in our community, as well as across the province this past year.  Visitor Centres in B.C. saw a 4.9 per cent increase in the number of visitors from January through July.  By comparison, the Kootenay Rockies region increase was 6.8 per cent, and Nakusp visitor numbers are up by an overwhelming 34 per cent!  To date we have welcomed 14,533 visitors, compared to 10,825 for the entire year in 2008.  Most of our visitors remained in the community for 1-3 days, and the top three requests for information were:  accommodation, attractions and adventure recreation.

Staff at the Community Futures office in Nakusp meet with entrepreneurs regularly throughout the year, who are interested in starting up businesses in the Nakusp and area. With the move towards communities being self-sustainable for food, Community Futures has seen an increase in Agriculture-based small business start-ups.

This year the Chamber of Commerce will be presenting Business Excellence Awards at our Christmas Gala to recognize Nakusp & Area Businesses for their outstanding achievements this past year.  The Christmas Gala & Awards will be held in Nakusp on Sat, Dec. 5, and nomination forms will be available soon.

Small Business Month is our opportunity to recognize the significant contributions of small business and the entrepreneurial spirit driving the economy in our community, and we congratulate our Nakusp and Area businesses on their successes this past year. 

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