Local products can get a free marketing boost thanks to the Island Good program. City of Campbell River Economic Development and Vancouver Island Economic Alliance (VIEA) have partnered for a second year to offer local businesses access to Island Good licensing for 2021, for free.

Private equity firm Salmon Capital Holdings, LTD., (SCHL) has signed on as the newest official sponsor of Campbell River’s NexStream Tech Competition, announcing earlier this week that it will contribute CAD $100,000 to support the competition.

The City of Campbell River Economic Development Department has teamed up with Spring Activator to offer local business owners a free spot in a live, online Digital Growth Bootcamp.

Join us Wednesday, Jan. 20 from 11 a.m. to 2:15 p.m. to learn more about different business growth strategies using digital tools.

The City is partnering with iTel Networks to expand Campbell River’s municipal internet service.

In addition to serving current and potential new customers on the open-access fibre optic network, iTel will provide Internet services to City facilities and subscribing businesses throughout the community.

People are always asking me for advice on business and what I do to stay motivated and keep positive, even during times of crisis and difficulty.

My biggest piece of advice, surround yourself with people that are different than you and that know different things than you. As a business owner that might be hard for you to know where to start. For me, there was an easy answer…connect with the team at the Campbell River Economic Development.

“We are excited to welcome Poseidon Ocean Systems, Moeller Matthews, CR Lawyers, Shelter Point Distillery and Pacific Sands Beach Resort to the NexStream Tech Competition. We’re grateful for their support, and the continuing support of Spring and Foresight,” said Rose Klukas, the City’s economic development officer. “Each year, NexStream’s teams apply themselves—and technology—to the task of solving industry challenges that affect communities like Campbell River. The funds and expertise provided by CRAAG and our supportive network of sponsors are helping to drive NexStream and its innovators forward.”

“One of our goals was to develop a program that supports a broad range of innovators, from individuals with compelling concepts through to mature companies with proven track-records in sales. We also hoped to show that innovation is possible across a broad range of industries relevant to our area,” says Andreas Hagen, angel investor and member of the Campbell River Area Angel Group (CRAAG). “We believe that the breadth of entries that made it through to last year’s finale are evidence of success along both of these dimensions.”

Campbell River’s tech competition, NexStream 2.0, launches Oct. 1 – with innovators pitching their ideas for up to $300,000 in prizes.

The second annual international competition is now accepting applications in four categories inspired by our coastal region. Challenges are: health and emergency preparedness, food security and sustainable resources. In addition, there is a wildcard category.

Our marketing agency, Boleyn Media has had incredible support from the City’s Economic Development team right from the very early days of launching our business back in early 2019. One event, in particular, comes to mind where we were first introduced to our web developer, Liam. Looking back on it now, that introduction inadvertently helped shape our agency before we even knew what we needed.

Guest Blog Written By: Markella Gionet - Owner and Founder of Fresh Fetch

In the Fall of 2018 our business Fresh Fetch had just been born, more conceived in fact but there were so many things to figure out and to better understand about starting a small local business. For me it was my first endeavor as an entrepreneur and an entirely new world to navigate. When we heard about the opportunity to participate in the 12-week long food incubator program offered by Campbell River Economic Development our ears perked up, as we knew it would be an extremely valuable knowledge asset to acquire at the early stage of our start up.

Tune in for results of our global technology challenge on September 9th.

Of the original 40 participants in Campbell River’s NexStream competition, seven have made it to the finals. The winners of this global technology challenge, vying for cash prizes, will be announced in an online presentation. Mark your calendar and tune in at techatchery.ca at 10 a.m. Sept. 9

The City of Campbell River has expanded Vancouver Island’s first open-access fibre optic municipal broadband network, CRadvantage. The network extension was completed along 11th Avenue to the corner of Dogwood Street and 12th Avenue on July 29.

“The COVID-19 pandemic has reminded us that we are all connected and that we do our best when we work together,” Premier John Horgan said in his Canada Day statement on July 1, 2020.

“We are all connected – our physical, mental and economic health is part of a whole,” he said. “Let’s keep taking care of each other as we work together to build a stronger, more inclusive future.”

The economic health of a community relies upon its people – the residents, business owners, visitors, and investors. As Horgan observed, we’re all connected and in this together. In order to recover, grow, and thrive, businesses need the support of healthy communities. With that in mind, what are some ways that we can keep ourselves, our community, and our economy healthy?

We’ve pulled together and worked hard to “flatten the curve”. As a result, we are now in Phase 3 of B.C.’s Restart Plan. We’re seeing some businesses and organizations reopen their doors, and more people going out to visit those locations. But along with the optimism this brings, there’s still a sense of uncertainty.

VANCOUVER ISLAND – The best climate for growing ideas! With a common goal of developing a robust technology sector, eight communities working together as a part of the Vancouver Island Coast Economic Developers Association (VICEDA) are unveiling a dynamic new website www.techisland.io. Emerging from VICEDA’s Technology Attraction Strategy, TechIsland showcases the region’s technology infrastructure, its leading-edge tech companies and highlights the unique amenities that contribute to Vancouver Island’s excellent lifestyle.

Currently, 37.7% of all small businesses in BC are owned by women - that’s just over 145,485 women-owned businesses who fit the profile above and are struggling to keep the doors open and the businesses running through the pandemic. Early forecasts predict 50% of businesses won’t survive COVID-19 impact. More than ever small businesses, many owned by women, need support.

Campbell River is making it easier for local restaurants to expand into outdoor spaces – a move that will help them safely provide sit-down service for customers as part of their re-opening plan.

Local products can get a free marketing boost thanks to Island Good licensing now available at no cost this year.

City of Campbell River Economic Development and Vancouver Island Economic Alliance (VIEA) have partnered to offer local businesses access to free Island Good licensing for 2020.