Funder Spotlight

https://spmtrust.ca/

 

The purpose of the SPMTrust is to encourage and support economic development, diversification and stabilization in the Specified Area by creating new income-earning positions for individuals who reside in the Specified Area, provided that those income-earning positions are not inconsistent with the recovery of the Southern Mountain Caribou herds. The Trust Purpose does not include the realization of profit or gain by the Trust. In most cases the maximum grant that will be considered for any one project will be $250,000

 

Ideas for possible SPMTrust projects:

 

1.Broadband improvement in an underserved area, if it can be shown that theimprovement will make it possible businesses to operate and people to work inthe area.
2. Museum and cultural heritage centre construction or upgrades that willincrease employment and tourism opportunities in the area.
3. Tourism related infrastructure improvements such as new or improved boatlaunching ramps, airport facilities, and destination guided or self guidedhiking or horse back riding trails.
4. Development or improvement of rustic camping all the way to fully servicedcabins and RV campgrounds to serve local residents for stay-cations, andtourists.
5. Hotel or motel upgrades or renovations, as long as they don’t create unfaircompetition to existing operations in the area.
6. Non timber forest product operations that are not inconsistent with therecovery of the mountain caribou herds.
7. Economic strategy forums to bring together the communities in the area todevelop long term economic development plans.
8. The organizing and promotion of music or art festivals.
9. Development of brochures to promote tourism.
10. The development of initiatives to improve food security, such as greenhousebased hydroponic gardening.
11. The development or refining of tourism marketing strategies.
12. Retention of a visitor information centre.
13. Downtown core revitalization projects to bring back store front retailoperations.
14. The purchase of construction or other equipment and the training in its useif a business case can be made for a local need for that equipment.
15. Industrial Park development and site servicing.
16. Creation or renovation of amenities for the benefit of tourists and locals,especially if the amenities can be shown to make it easier to attract people tolive and work in the area.
17. Capital or software upgrades or training for existing non-profit orfor-profit operations if the investment will create new income earningpositions.
18. On reserve housing projects that involve skills training for band members.
19. Trade skills training support where the employer shares in the cost and itcan be shown that this training will create new sustainable employmentopportunities.
20. The development of regional and community strategic planning;
21. Development of sustainable activities that are expected to have long termeconomic benefits;
22. Grants to help create “new income earning positions”;
23. A transition to business and economic activities that are consistent withthe recovery of the Southern Mountain Caribou herds.
24. The development of alternative, viable and sustainable economic activities,including the performance of feasibility studies and other research related tothose activities;
25. The development and support of industries and other commercial venturesthat had not previously been significant factors or even present in theSpecified Area.
26. The implementation of training programs to develop new skills that will beneeded by an individual to perform the functions required in a new incomeearning position;
27. Relevant studies, research activities, and business plan proposals thatwould support a realistic, viable and sustainable commercial opportunity thatcould create new income earning positions;
28. Research, development, testing and commercialization support for provingout opportunities to support the establishment of new industries in thespecified area;
29. Development and deployment of investment attraction policies and tools;
30. Support for community members to attend meetings, seminars or forumsdirectly related to viable business plans and/or proposals.

 

 

 

 

 

We know that running a business in the North is different, and we know  how to do it. That is why we have joined eight other Community Futures offices to create the Northern Nine, and collectively launch Invested in BC’s North.

 

Learn more about how we are making a difference.

 

“Knowing that Community Futures believed in me kept me going during tough times. I had a responsibility to them to be successful and pay back the loans they provided me to help grow and expand my business.”

Jessica Laberge, Owner, Pacific Paramedics