Corry Hostetter, Economic Development Project Manager
PARKSVILLE, QUALICUM BEACH – The Oceanside Rebound Recovery Program, a plan developed by Oceanside Initiatives to help businesses through the COVID-19 operating restrictions and closures, has reached 50 businesses and leveraged over 90K in aid to the region.
Oceanside Initiatives, a new Economic Development office, with a focus on delivering business retention and expansion programs to the Oceanside region, opened its doors in February. Four weeks later, businesses started closing their doors, in accordance with Provincial regulations, to prevent the spread of the COVID-19 virus.
As the economic impact of these closures began to take shape, Oceanside Initiatives was able to respond by first assessing the needs of the business community, and create a four-point program to help them adjust, re-open, and look toward the future, ultimately saving jobs and reducing the negative impacts to the region. Oceanside Initiatives created the Rebound Oceanside Program so that each individual business could be assisted based on their unique set of challenges, allowing for the ability to adapt to their specific needs.
Through the help of the Parksville & District and Qualicum Beach Chambers of Commerce, downtown business associations, committees, PQB News, The Beach Radio and social media networks, Oceanside Initiatives was able to spread the word to businesses about the program.
Since launching the program in May, 50 business have registered and have been assisted in many different and unique ways, and over $97,000 in assistance and has been delivered to the Oceanside business community.
“Many businesses needed help with the physical reopening of their stores and offices”, said Corry Hostetter, Economic Development Project Manager. “After weeks of their doors being closed, and then a limited service ability under the phase 2 & 3 guidelines, the financial burden to implement the health and safety regulations was impossible to bear and the Rebound Oceanside program was here to help”.
However, not all businesses needed help meeting health and safety regulations. Some businesses needed help to adapt their sales and delivery channels to digital markets. Other businesses needed to just get the word out that they were open again. Rebound was able to pair these businesses with experts in the community to get up and running quickly and to get the word out that many in the Oceanside region were open for business.
“We are profoundly grateful for the Rebound Oceanside Business Recovery Program. They have supported our business during the pandemic by connecting us with other local businesses. The program has helped us to pivot our business model to attract new local customers, refreshed the perspective on a 10-year-old business, and rebuild our business plan. With the tools provided, we are confident that we will succeed and grow from this unstable time in our business. I would highly recommend the Rebound Oceanside Business Recovery Program to others,” said Bobbie Williams of Island Highlander.
Oceanside Initiatives plans to resume the business retention and expansion programs it was originally formed to deliver as well as continue the work of the Rebound Program so that it may assist if a second wave reaches the community.
For more information about Oceanside Initiatives and the Rebound Program visit www.workpqb.com Funding for project is provided through WorkBC’s Community and Employer Partnerships (CEP) program. CEP aims to increase employment opportunities for unemployed British Columbians through partnerships, research, and innovative job-creation projects.
