COVID-19 Business Resources

#here4squamish

 #here4squamish graphic

The District of Squamish is working with our partners to support, and share information and resources with, our local business community as we receive updates.

#here4squamish is a collaborative campaign developed in partnership by the District of Squamish, Squamish Nation, Squamish Chamber of Commerce, Tourism Squamish, the Downtown Squamish Business Improvement Association, WorkBC, Community Futures and the Squamish Arts Council to deliver communications to support Squamish businesses during the COVID-19 pandemic.

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Squamish Business Activate Program

The District of Squamish Economic Development is pleased to provide the Business Activate Program, developed in partnership with Spring Activator and The Discovery Foundation and supported by the Chamber of Commerce, Tourism Squamish, and the Downtown Squamish BIA.

This program aims to help small businesses and entrepreneurs recover from recent closures and other impacts related to COVID-19 by helping our community evaluate their current business, identify their ‘new normal,’ create a plan to survive, and take necessary action to thrive one again.

The program provides tools and resources from experts and is FREE for Squamish businesses to access.

Business Activate Program

Temporary patio & sidewalk sale permits

Temporary patios or sidewalk sales area permit applications are now closed. Current holders of temporary patio permits can continue to operate their temporary patios until June 1, 2022.

For businesses with existing temporary patios wishing to convert them to regular outdoor patios, please fill out an application form and submit it to [email protected], or drop it off in person at Municipal Hall. 

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Temporary park use permits

To support local businesses' ability to adhere to the new COVID-19 physical distancing guidelines outlined by the Provincial Health Officer, you can now apply for a temporary permit for the use of municipal park space. There are no fees to book the park space during this temporary program.

The permit authorizes the temporary use of municipal parks for businesses with an active District of Squamish business licence, until June 1, 2022. To apply, complete the online application form with details of your plans.

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Partners in economic response

Road to Recovery

In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, Tourism Squamish and the Squamish Chamber of Commerce are partnering to support local Squamish businesses through these challenging times. As businesses adapt their operations, the Road to Recovery program aims to support Squamish by:

  • Celebrating the contributions that local businesses make to our economy and community
  • Showcasing local businesses, the impact of COVID-19 and the resilience of Squamish
  • Providing businesses with tools to operate safely and according to Provincial Health Officer (PHO)

Find out more

 

Squamish Chamber

The Squamish Chamber of Commerce has created a number of tools to support Squamish businesses and encourage residents to shop local. Be a Squamish Champion and support local businesses! Create your FREE business listing with the Chamber. You can add contact details, photos, social media links and more. Not a Chamber member? That’s ok. During this crisis, any Squamish business is invited to add a listing. Let the Chamber know if you want to be part of their #supportsquamish radio and newspaper campaign.

The BC Chamber network will be conducting regular pulse checks every two weeks on BCMindreader.com to find out how businesses are faring. This information will inform ongoing recommendations to government.

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Tourism Squamish

Tourism Squamish's focus over the coming weeks and months includes measuring the Impact by continuing to communicate with Tourism Squamish members, partners and government via conversations, surveys and webinars, ensuring the impact is understood, shared and a variety of resources are available. Tourism Squamish are collecting the best available tourism-specific information and sharing this with Tourism Squamish members and visitors. 

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Downtown Squamish BIA

Downtown Squamish BIA has launched a Local Gift Cards Program! The  Downtown Squamish Business Improvement Association has been working on a Local Gift Cards initiative in response to COVID-19.

The program allows participating businesses to get funds now, whether they are currently open or not. It also allows businesses that are open to perform cashless transactions. All patrons need to provide is their Gift Card Code verbally upon ordering. There is no deadline to participate - businesses can participate by contacting the BIA. This program is entirely funded by Downtown Squamish. 100% of your purchases go directly back to each business.

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Sea to Sky WorkBC

Sea to Sky WorkBC staff are all working from home, using phone, text, email and virtual platforms and continuing to provide services to employers, such as employment placement and sustainability (work gear, wage subsidies, etc), surveying local employers with regards to current needs for immediate staff and post-pandemic planning for hiring.

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Community Futures

Community Futures Howe Sound is doing whatever it can to assist small businesses during these difficult days. Their immediate priority is to give small business owners whatever they need. For some, that is a quick and flexible loan to help buy some time. Other businesses need business advice or a friendly compassionate voice to talk things through. Whatever you need, reach out to Community Futures. They're here for you.  

Visit Community Futures Howe Sound

 

Squamish Arts Council

The Squamish Arts Council is currently highlighting local artists through their social media pages. Local artists, groups and creatives can fill out an impact survey to assist agencies and ministries to better assess how to help.

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Squamish Nation

The Squamish Nation has created a dedicated COVID-19 information page on their website. You can also keep on top of their regular updates via their Facebook page.

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