Small businesses affected by wildfires may be eligible for emergency grant

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Prince Rupert – North Coast MLA, Jennifer Rice wants Bella Coola residents to know that small businesses can immediately access emergency financial support.
“I’m happy to know that businesses along Highway 20 have been included for eligibility for the grant,” Rice said. “Business owners in Bella Coola should take note.”
Delivered through the Canadian Red Cross, a $1,500 emergency grant is available to eligible small businesses, First Nations whose livelihood is based on cultural practices, and not-for-profit organizations that are located in areas that have been under evacuation order or alert.
The Province continues to review areas directly and significantly impacted by closures and will make adjustments to the eligibility as required but does not want to delay support to these affected communities while that review is undertaken.

Eligible businesses, organizations and First Nations members include:

  • Small businesses (including sole proprietors, partnerships, franchises)
  • Not-for-profit organizations
  • First Nations businesses and cultural livelihood on reserve

Applicants must have:

  • 50 employees or less,
  • been in operation on or before July 7, 2017,
  • been financially impacted as a result of the 2017 B.C. wildfires,
  • a net income of less than $250,000 per year,
  • resumed or are intending to resume operations as soon as possible.

“The Canadian Red Cross is committed to helping people recover from this summer’s B.C. fires. We know that small businesses and community organizations are integral to that recovery. We thank the Government of British Columbia for supporting this important assistance as part of its $100-million fund announced earlier this summer,” said Kimberley Nemrava, vice-president, British Columbia and Yukon, Canadian Red Cross.
The Red Cross has established a Helpline to provide additional support and assist with the application process. Funding will be provided from the $100-million that was announced earlier this summer to provide assistance to the thousands of British Columbians impacted by the fires burning in the province.