Support Local BC generates $1 million for independent BC businesses

An initiative launched to help independent businesses across BC ease financial pressures caused by COVID-19 marked two major milestones this month.

Support Local BC, an online platform that sells gift certificates on behalf of local businesses across the province, announced that they have generated over $1 million in purchases.

This comes as the program commemorates one year since its launch on April 24, 2020.

 

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“The Support Local BC platform provided a convenient way for British Columbians to spend their money at their favourite local businesses even when those businesses were closed,” said -Michèle Hamilton, Managing Director, Think Local First and Support Local BC in a release.

“As we look forward to the reopening of our economy, let’s keep that ‘shop local’ behaviour and become more conscious consumers. Take a moment, before you part with your hard-earned money, and decide where it can be put to best use. Love Local and Buy Local should become our mantra.”

There are over 1,700 businesses in 109 communities registered on Support Local BC, who receive the full value of gift certificates purchased with no payment processing costs deducted.

Shoppers can buy gift certificates for themselves or send a “Support Local BC E-Gift Card” to another person to support a business of their choice.

The program was spearheaded by Think Local First Victoria and partnered with Vancity, LOCO BC, British Columbia Economic Development Association, Northern Development Initiative Trust, and FortisBC.

Support Local BC is also supported by the collaboration and investment of economic development organizations such as Chambers of Commerce, Business Improvement Associations, Community Futures, and other small business champions.

 

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“The pandemic has shown us that we’re more connected than we thought we were and that we rely on one another more than we thought we did,” said Christine Bergeron, President and CEO, Vancity in a release.

“We must continue to channel that connectivity into how we think about the local economy and how we can support our local businesses through this incredibly trying time.

“When the country gets through this pandemic, small businesses will play a significant role in helping to drive our economic recovery. Vancity is proud to be working with Support Local BC to support our local businesses which, now more than ever, need us all to think, shop and click local.”