About Us

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About Us

Helping to build a better future for small business.

Community Futures Okanagan Similkameen (CFOS)

The Community Futures Program is a federal government initiative which was established in 1984 to assist rural communities in the development of strategies for dealing with a changing economic environment. The program is based on a philosophy that local decision-making and local development are the most effective means for communities to shape their future.

MISSION

The purpose of Community Futures Okanagan Similkameen is to maintain and enhance the economic, social and environmental well-being of our communities. The Board, acting as a catalyst for initiating and coordinating community development, will facilitate employment, training, educational opportunities within the region.

GOALS

Starting or expanding a business requires a lot of research and planning. The people at Community Futures Okanagan Similkameen can provide you with the necessary assistance as well as materials available through their library to help with the task. CFOS can provide:

  • financial assistance in the form of loans of up to $150,000 per business
  • loan funds through Canadian Youth Business Foundation
  • loan funds through Forest Renewal BC
  • preliminary and general business counseling
  • assistance in the development of a business plan and financial proposal
  • information on small business programs and services

OBJECTIVES

Community Futures is a program that provides support for local groups to participate in the development of economic and employment opportunities. This program is sponsored by Western Economic Diversification for communities within the Regional District of Okanagan Similkameen.

LET US HELP WITH ....

  • preliminary and general business counseling services
  • assistance in the development of a business plan and financial proposal
  • a basic market analysis and viability assessment
  • a basic market analysis & liability assessment
  • provision of local information required to support your business proposal
  • Self-employment assistance ... if you are currently in receipt of Employment Insurance or have been within the past three years, and have a viable business idea, you may be eligible for a one year grant which provides an income to support new businesses in their beginning stages.


WORKING WITH SMALL BUSINESS

Building entrepreneurial capacity is one of the keys to thriving, healthy communities.
CFs can provide a wide range of business counseling services. Survival rates for CF sponsored businesses outstrip the national average, often because of the combination of business counseling, loans and training.

WORKING WITH THE COMMUNITY

The volunteers who drive the Community Futures program believe that strong, vibrant communities are built by working together.
Volunteers often act as facilitators, bringing together diverse groups to develop a vision for their future and to integrate community resources into a long-term strategy. Collaboration often combines economic, social, educational, cultural and environmental goals.