Jennifer Wetmore is Executive Director of CFBC
Preparing for the Tourism Season
BRITISH COLUMBIA – As we head into BC’s spring and summer tourism season. For rural and tourism-dependent communities, this preparation is critical. Seasonal peaks bring opportunities, but also operational and staffing challenges. Community Futures British Columbia (CFBC), and their network of 34 member offices across the province, support entrepreneurs with tools, guidance, and training to ensure businesses are ready to meet demand while building long-term resilience.
Tailored Support for Rural and Family Businesses
Small and family-run businesses are the backbone of rural economies, providing jobs, essential services, and community engagement. CFBC member offices work with these businesses to strengthen operations, develop marketing strategies, manage seasonal fluctuations, and plan for sustainable growth. Advisory services help owners navigate unique rural challenges, from staffing constraints to supply logistics, ensuring businesses can thrive during high-demand periods.
Comprehensive Resources Through the CFBC Hub
CFBC’s Resource Hub offers a suite of programs and supports to help rural businesses grow and adapt:
myCommunityFutures – Guidance, learning modules, templates, and business planning tools.
CF Loan Programs – Flexible financing to fund growth, equipment, or seasonal expansion.
Venture Connect – Succession planning and transition support for family-run and locally anchored businesses.
Indigenous Entrepreneurship Supports – Tailored resources for Indigenous business owners.
Accessible Entrepreneurship – Programs to help entrepreneurs with disabilities overcome barriers.
Rural and Community Resiliency Initiatives – Support to adapt to economic or market changes.
Export Navigator – Guidance for businesses seeking new markets beyond their local region.
These resources give business owners the tools they need to address both immediate seasonal demands and long-term growth objectives.
Advisory Services and Practical Training
Across the 34-member network, CFBC offices offer advisory services covering financial planning, operations, staffing, marketing, and succession strategies. Workshops and webinars help entrepreneurs build practical skills, from improving customer experience to developing digital marketing plans, ensuring businesses can make the most of the tourism season ahead.
Inclusive Workplaces and the Value of Neurodiverse Talent
During this month is Neurodiversity Celebration Week, an opportunity to highlight the benefits of inclusive workplaces. Rural businesses can gain a competitive advantage by welcoming neurodiverse employees and creating supportive, flexible work environments. Inclusive hiring and retention practices help businesses tap into a wider range of skills and perspectives, increasing innovation, operational efficiency, and problem-solving capacity. CFBC member offices provide guidance, tools, and resources for creating inclusive workplaces, from policy advice and employee training to strategies for recruitment and retention, helping rural businesses strengthen their teams while fostering community cohesion.
Strengthening Rural Economies Together
Tourism and small businesses are essential to the vitality of rural BC. By leveraging CFBC’s programs, advisory services, and inclusive workplace resources, entrepreneurs can strengthen operations, navigate seasonal peaks, and build resilient teams. Strong businesses support employment, stimulate local economies, and enhance the overall quality of life in their communities.
A Partner in Resilient Growth
With its network of 34 member offices, Community Futures British Columbia is dedicated to helping rural businesses plan, adapt, and thrive. Through practical tools, personalized guidance, and a commitment to inclusive economic development, CFBC member offices support entrepreneurs as they prepare for tourism season and help ensure rural communities across the province remain resilient for the future.
Community Futures British Columbia | Growing communities one idea at a time.
