Local business leaders, civic leaders and provincial government representatives hit the streets of Quesnel on Wednesday and Friday to visit small businesses and hear about their successes, their barriers and discuss solutions that might grow their businesses.

The business walk participants visited several small businesses in Quesnel, including C&C Wood Products, BC Bearing, All-West Crane and Dan’s Machining. The Quesnel Community and Economic Development Corporation (QCEDC) led the planning and organizing of the walks, working in close partnership with  the City of Quesnel, the Quesnel and District Chamber of Commerce, Community Futures North Cariboo, Business Improvement Associations in Quesnel and the Province.

On Friday, Minister of State for Tourism and Small Business Naomi Yamamoto was joined by Minister of Community, Sport and Cultural Development and MLA for Cariboo North Coralee Oakes, along with city councillors and representatives from the Quesnel and District Chamber of Commerce and the QCEDC.

A business walk is an informal way for community leaders to get in touch with the pulse of the business community, to begin to build relationships over time, and to gather the business intelligence needed to stimulate the economy

Businesses experiencing challenges will be followed up with and provided with one-on-one assistance to available resources. Once the information and feedback is collated and analyzed, community leaders can develop and implement action plans to support and stimulate the economic activity of the area.

The Province continues to work collaboratively to offer a number of programs and services to minimize the impacts of the Canfor mill closure in Quesnel, and one component is assisting the City and the QCEDC with the organization of business walks to support small business. Business Walks were identified as just one of a number of priority projects under the Quesnel and Area Regional Economic Collaborative Forum that was held last October in Quesnel.  

The walks build on the Economic Essentials for Local Government Leaders Workshop that was held in the community on Thursday, March 27 for local leaders to discuss ways to create and support economic development opportunities.

For photos of the business walks, please visit: https://www.flickr.com/photos/bcgovphotos/sets/72157634302237025/

Quotes:

Naomi Yamamoto, Minister of State for Tourism and Small Business -

“This was a good opportunity to speak directly with small business owners in Quesnel. I understand some of the concerns they raised and we will be following up directly with them. But I also heard a lot of optimism about opportunities for growth. We want small businesses in Quesnel to thrive - because when small business thrives, so do our communities.”

Coralee Oakes, Minister of Community, Sport and Cultural Development and MLA for Cariboo North  -

“Our community is facing a difficult time, and that’s why we are listening to small business owners directly. They are the heart and soul of our community and today we heard first-hand what they’d like to see our community and the Province do to help create opportunities for growth.”

“There are economic bright spots for our region - and I’m thrilled I had the chance to both listen to and discuss opportunities with local entrepreneurs today.”

City of Quesnel Mayor Mary Sjostrom -

“I was so pleased with the optimism of our business community and thanks again for speaking openly about doing business in Quesnel. We have certainly identified some gaps, in particular youth employment, and we look forward to working through those with our partners and local business. Congratulations on the great positive attitude.”

Learn More:

For more information on Business Walks, please visit: www.jtst.gov.bc.ca/BusinessAttractionToolkit/section5/business_walks_toolkit.html

For more information on priority projects and progress on the Regional Economic Collaboratives go to: www.jtst.gov.bc.ca/RegionalEconomicCollaboratives/quesnel.html 

Read about further economic development supports in the City of Quesnel:
www.newsroom.gov.bc.ca/2014/02/collaboration-supports-economic-development-in-quesnel.html

To find out more about the Quesnel Community and Economic Development Corporation, please visit: www.quesnelinfo.com/

Media Contacts:

Media Relations
Ministry of Jobs, Tourism and Skills Training and Responsible for Labour
Minister of State for Tourism and Small Business
250 387-2799