#here4squamish
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.
Find the Help you Need
Squamish Chamber of Commerce Covid-19 Resources
Small Business BC Support Service
Videos, Events & Tools from the District of Squamish and Partners
Stronger BC Funding and Programs
Access Federal Business Funding and Programs
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)
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.
Tourism Squamish
Tourism Squamish's focus over the coming weeks and months include 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.
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.
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.
Community Futures
Community Futures Howe Sound is doing whatever they can to assist small business 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.
Squamish Arts Council
The Squamish Arts Council are 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.
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 the Facebook page.
Aligned Collective
To support the community, Aligned Collective Co-working is opening up their network to everyone .
If your business has an initiative, offering, updated menu, delivery instructions, opening/closing hours, need for support, new online store or ANYTHING that needs to reach as big a crowd as possible, please tag tag them in your posts. They will share with their network to get the word out!
