Shuswap Economic Recovery Taskforce Press Release
August 7, 2024
MEDIA RELEASE
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
JULY 23, 2024
SHUSWAP ECONOMIC RECOVERY TASKFORCE AWARDS $50,000 IN RECOVERY GRANTS TO FIRE-IMPACTED BUSINESSES FROM THE NORTH SHUSWAP.
July 23, 2024 – The Shuswap Economic Recovery Taskforce (SERT) is pleased to announce the award of $50,000 in recovery grants to North Shuswap businesses impacted by the 2023 Bush Creek East wildfire. The grant was open to sole proprietors, partnerships, franchises, non-profit organizations, First Nations businesses, and members whose livelihoods are based on cultural practice. The grant was funded by donations to the Shuswap Community Foundation specifically earmarked for assisting North Shuswap businesses.
The grant, part of the initial phase of SERT’s larger wildfire recovery program for all impacted Shuswap communities, was dedicated to helping North Shuswap businesses rebuild and regain their economic footing.
“The North Shuswap business community is strong, resilient, and closely connected,” said Debbie Seymour, Executive Director of the North Shuswap Chamber of Commerce. “We understand the challenges businesses faced during the wildfire and were pleased to play an integral role on the SERT team, on this and other initiatives to support the greater community”, stated Seymour.
In addition to the grant award (which was administered by Community Futures Shuswap), the Taskforce hosted an Economic Recovery Conference at Quaaout Lodge and offered 1 on 1 sessions with Business Recovery Advisors, through Community Futures Shuswap and the Disaster Recovery Economic Adjustment Initiative (DREAI).
Next steps The Taskforce has designed a short post-recovery business survey, which is scheduled to go out following the August long weekend. The Survey is designed to assess the current recovery climate and identify future needs and solutions for the business community.
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About the Shuswap Economic Recovery Taskforce (SERT)
SERT was created to support businesses, sole proprietors and non-profits in the Shuswap impacted by the Bush Creek East wildfire. A partnership between the Shuswap Economic Development Society, Shuswap Community Foundation, Community Futures Shuswap, the North Shuswap Chamber of Commerce, Shuswap Tourism, the South Shuswap Chamber of Commerce, and the North Shuswap Disaster Relief Society, the taskforce offers opportunities for funding, education and other economic recovery resources. The taskforce is made up of local business and community leaders from throughout the Shuswap and is comprised of five Subcommittees: Environment, Grants, Donations and Giving, Tourism and Hospitality, Business and Supply Chain, and Communications.
For more information or to get involved please email:
Sue McCrae sue@shuswapecdev.ca
Debbie Seymour executivedirector@northshuswapbc.com
Rob Marshall rmarshall@futureshuswap.com
Please find below the link to an 8 minute video that profiles some of the businesses in the North Shuswap who received funding support from the “North Shuswap Business Recovery Grant”. A $50k grant was facilitated by Shuswap Community Foundation to support businesses in the North Shuswap that were affected by the Bush Creek East wildfire last summer.
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