Supporting New and Existing Business

Community Futures are developmental lenders. That means we work in collaboration with (not in competition to) conventional lenders like banks and credit unions. For over 30 years we have successfully helped local entrepreneurs get business financing to:

• Start or expand a business
• Apply new technology to a business
• Upgrade business facilities and/or equipment
• Develop new products and services
• Access new markets
• Expand into the global marketplace

Community Futures provides services and program supports to small- and medium-sized business owners and entrepreneurs living in rural areas. Our services include:

• A variety of small business loans
• Business planning support
• Small business training
• One-on-one start-up or expansion consulting
• Support in gaining access to other small business supports, information, and access to capital

In addition to these client services, we offer facilities rentals to local groups and businesses, as well as state-of-the-art video conferencing technology for use in training sessions, conferences and business meetings.

Community Futures is part of a national economic development program that has been supporting small business and community economic development since 1986.

Our Community Futures office is a non-profit organization guided by a volunteer board of directors and staffed with business professionals. Our volunteers and staff work with community partners to develop and implement community-based economic development strategies.

We provide a variety of different support services – including business loans, training and coaching, and access to expert resources – to people wanting to start, expand, franchise or sell a business, and to owners of small- and medium-sized businesses in the community.

We also work in partnership with other business lenders, educational institutions, not-for-profits and community governments to grow and diversify our local economy.

Community Futures is funded in western Canada by Western Economic Diversification Canada

Performance Results 2019-2020

Reports

• 2019-2020 Audited Financial Statements
• 2019-2020 Annual Report
• 2018-2019 Annual Report
• 2017-2018 Annual Report
• 2016-2017 Annual Report
• 2015-2016 Annual Report
• 2014-2015 Annual Report
• 2013-2014 Annual Report
• 2012-2013 Annual Report
• 2011-2012 Annual Report
• 2010-2011 Annual Report
• 2009-2010 Annual Report
• 2008-2009 Annual Report
• 2007-2008 Annual Report
• 2006-2007 Annual Report

Community Futures Sun Country's small business specialists are dedicated to taking the time to really understand your business ideas – and then rolling up their sleeves to help you make them happen. We can help you apply for business loans, write a business plan, understand your cash flow and access new markets. We have in-depth knowledge of the unique characteristics of location’s local and regional economies and active partnerships with business and community leaders, local government, educational institutions, other business lenders and not-for-profits.

Call or email us to move your business concept forward.

Community Futures Sun Country is guided by a volunteer Board of Directors made up of local business people who have extensive knowledge and experience of our local economy and represent our region's population and main economic sectors. The role of the Board is to establish our organization’s priorities, monitor our business loans, oversee our general performance, and be accountable to key stakeholders, such as local, provincial and federal governments.

Interested in becoming a board member or committee volunteer? Please contact us and we’ll be happy to answer any questions.

Board recruitment policy
Board recruitment package

Congratulations on 30 years Community Futures!

~ Sam Hassam/ Owner, Lillooet BC
True Value Hardware

Congratulations on 30 years of excellent community support! We appreciate your business.

~ Pam Aie, Ashcroft BC
Revelations Hair Salon

Happy 30th Anniversary!

It is great to have Community Futures in such a small town where we get great support and help for the small businesses in the community. I am looking forward to working with our community.

~ Ogesh Chand (Owner/ Operator), Ashcroft BC
Riverside Restaurant

Congratulations Community Futures on 30 years!

You have supported small businesses and helped make realities out of our dreams. Best wishes on many more years!

~ Deva Fournier, Ashcroft BC
Natures Gifts

A big thank you to Community Futures for helping to make Abundance Artisan Bakery and Cafe a reality. It has been a pleasure to work with such a caring and people centered organization.

~ Dana & Craig Sibley, Lillooet BC
Abundance Artisan Bakery

As a new business in the area it has been fantastic to work with the Community Futures and I appreciate all they do for business development.

~ Debra Neufeld, CPA, Lillooet BC

Congratulations Community Futures!

The Lillooet business community is lucky to have you.

~ Marianne Benoit Gagnon, Lillooet BC

Community Futures Rocks!

Through comprehensive and sincere encouragements, thank you for providing road maps for growth and prosperity for people like you and I.

~ Mariko Kage, Lillooet BC
Life Skills Consultant/ Youth Mentorship 

Congrats on 30 years!

All you ladies are the best and a great help for business.

~ Debra Krokos, Cache Creek BC
Manie's Pizza & Grill

Thank you so much for everything you have done for me and my business over the past few years. I appreciate all the support, both financial & educational that you have provided to help me to be successful at my business.

~ Natasha Lundgren, Hope BC

My name is Lene Madeiros, and I would like to share with you my personal experience with Community Futures. In 2004 I wanted to open my own business in Ashcroft, BC. My trade is a Barber, so to have my own shop was my dream. The banks didn't want to take a chance on a single female Barber that had 20 years experience who wanted to be self employed in a small town. I heard about Community Futures and approached them. The staff there made me feel right away that I was important and that my dream was something they wanted to help me with. They sat with me and went over all the material, and helped with the paper work, pointing me in the right direction. Am I living my dream? It's 2013, 9 years and going strong. What did Community Futures do for me? What didn't they do. Thank you to all the staff of Community Futures.

~ Lene Madeiros, Ashcroft BC

I would like to express our gratitude and appreciation for believing in us and having faith that we were honourable, hardworking people. It is refreshing to do business with an organization that is far more personal than a bank and looks at not only ones ability to pay, but also considers the "person". It has always been a pleasure doing business with Community Futures.

~ Kathy Fulmer-Desmond, Savona BC

I have learned everything from making homemade bath bombs to developing a unique style in photography. I have also taken an intense interest in gardening, both indoors and out. I have enjoyed the opportunity to work and learn with Community Futures. Thank you!

~ Linda Carpenter, Logan Lake BC

What a great organization that has exemplified by the passion and dedication of the great folks that run it. Deb Arnott in particular has been a wonderful source of information, inspiration...while occasionally helping me find my way when the twisted turns we travel on the highway of governance get the better of us. Your organization has much to look back at with a smile...knowing you have not only made a difference in peoples lives but in the vibrancy of rural BC. A shout out to you all...may the next quarter century be even better.

~ TNRD Director Rice, Blue Sky Country 

Community Futures helped me become an independent business owner. Applying for a loan at the bank was a disappointing experience because I had never owned a business before, they didn't take me seriously. Regular banks only look at property and building value. At Community Futures, they also look at intellectual assets, good will, and income potential. Deb Arnott helped me to apply to the Business Development Bank, and with their initial funding, plus a loan remaining amount from Community Futures, I was able to purchase an established business. Community Futures helped me into the exciting world of being an independent business owner, and entrepreneur.

~ Nicola French, Cache Creek BC

I wouldn't be in business without Community Futures. My dream to open a tea shop came true through my relationship with Community Futures, and Deb Arnott. Besides a start-up loan, I got a whole small business package that included help with my business plan, how to manage cash flow, and loads of other training and support to really show me how to run a business. Deb was so knowledgeable and encouraging, and just a phone call or text away. She even recommended a higher-traffic location that ultimately lead to my success. I would not be in business without Community Futures. Thank you Deb!

~ Nadine Davenport, Ashcroft BC

I needed help to start up my trucking business and reached out to CF Sun after I heard many great things. During the whole process the team was accommodating and helpful and together we found the right package. I always felt involved and always receive a quick response if any questions come up. Thank you.

~ Andre Kuerbis, Owner AFK Trucking, Gold Bridge BC

Community Futures helped save our local cable TV. Without a loan from Community Futures Sun Country, we would have defaulted on a commitment to purchase the local cable company from its east-coast parent company. The local bank couldn't support us as an Enterprising Non-Profit, so Sun Country's Deb Arnott met with our Board, and helped us get our paperwork and financials organized. She was so responsive to our many questions, and even coached us on the right language to use for our submission. We were so relieved to get the loan, because the local Cable TV is important to our small, isolated town. This loan helped us keep a local business alive.

~ Ginny Bate, Lytton Area Wireless Society 

Pour obtenir le service en français appeler 1-877-732-3534