New businesses and entrepreneurs in Squamish can take advantage of the wide-spread business support services available in the local region and province for business development. Squamish is enjoying significant growth and influx of residents, small and large businesses and infrastructure, and it's important for start up businesses to take full advantage of the support available.

The Community Futures Development Corporation provides one such service, providing small business assistance to people who are either planning to start their own business or currently operating a small business in the Howe Sound area.

Consider utilizing their Starting Your Own Business Check List, their Sample Business Plan, and their Business Plan Preparation Guide when initiating a start up business.

Useful support resources for the local area and province include but are not limited to the list below.

Business Support Resources

Aboriginal Business Services Network
Provides a number of business products and services for Aboriginal entrepreneurs.
www.firstbusiness.ca

Business Development Bank of Canada
BDC provides small and medium-sized businesses with flexible financing, affordable consulting services and venture capital. BDC supports the needs of entrepreneurs at every stage of growth.
www.bdc.ca

Canada Business Startup Assistant
Essential business start-up information from the federal and provincial governments, as well as many other sources.
bsa.canadabusiness.ca

Community Futures Development Association, BC
The CFDCs foster local entrepreneurship, promote, coordinate and implement a variety of community development initiatives within their respective communities.
www.communityfutures.ca

Community Futures Development Corporation
A non-profit community economic development organization dedicated to assisting small business owners and entrepreneurs in the Howe Sound region, BC Canada.
www.cfdchs.com

Chamber of Commerce
The Squamish Chamber of Commerce is dedicated to enhancing the quality of life in the community by actively supporting business, economic growth and diversification.
www.squamishchamber.com

Downtown Squamish Business Improvement Association
The Association, incorporated under the BC Societies Act, is a non-profit, community-based organization and is to administer the Business Improvement Area (BIA) under the terms of the Distict of Squamish Bylaw 1927-2006.
www.dsbia.com

For the latest BSBIA news please view the recent newsletter (pdf).

Spirit of BC
Supported by 2010 Legacies Now and the Province of BC, Spirit of BC is a province-wide initiative that promotes community innovation, pride and excellence, and involves British Columbians in the opportunities arising from the 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games.
www.spiritofbc.com

Government Agents
Helpful list of BC busines resources.
www.servicebc.gov.bc.ca

Small Business BC
A comprehensive Business Development Resource for people exploring opportunities, launching new ventures and growing existing businesses.
www.smallbusinessbc.ca

Statistics Canada
The Department's mission is to foster a growing, competitive, knowledge-based Canadian economy.
www.strategis.ic.gc.ca/engdoc

Western Canada Economic Diversification
Working to strengthen western innovation, entrepreneurship and community economic development.
www.wd.gc.ca

Women's Enterprise Centre
BC's leading resource for women entrepreneurs, offering skills development, business loans, free business guidance, business resources, mentoring, networking and events.
www.wes.bc.ca