How We Support Small Business
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 video conferencing technology for use in training sessions, conferences and business meetings.
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Customer Service Policy
Community Futures Sun Country Management, Staff and Board seek to enhance customer satisfaction.
Service Indicators
Having Integrity Without Compromise
Having integrity means that we are completely forthright in our dealings. We say what needs to be said not simply what people want to hear.
Do Right By All Our Customers
Doing right means acting with the best interests of the other party in mind. We treat each other, our business partners, and our customers with care and respect.
It’s the People
We have great people who want to do well, who are capable of doing great things and who come to work fired up to achieve them. Great people flourish in an environment that’s liberated and amplifies their energy.
Seek the Best
We seek the best in two ways; we cast wide nets to find the best people to hire and the best ideas to adopt, and we base our decisions regarding them on facts.
Continually Improve the Process
We can always get better. We strive continuously to improve our processes, to help people do their job better and to produce higher quality at lower cost
Speak Listen and Respond
Management has the responsibility to create an environment that encourages people to speak openly, knowing they will be listened to when they do. Listening, however, is only a first step. It’s also key to Respond – if not through direct action, then through acknowledgement or feedback.
Team Work
Teamwork means focusing on the team’s success, realizing ultimately that the team’s success is your success. The results? – decisions that are not “mine” or “yours” – but rather, better solutions.
Customers Define Quality
Part of adapting to changing customers’ wants and desires is knowing what our customers want. CFNO has triumphed in part because we actively solicit input from our customers.
Think Fast Move Fast
Customers want to benefit from our great ideas sooner – not later. Moving fast enables us to learn and make better decisions over time. That’s because the best learning comes from trying out more things in the real world.
We Care and Give Back
We believe that with our success comes the responsibility to give back to our community. We seek to contribute to the community in ways that reflect broadly held values, have meaningful impact, draw on our unique strengths as a corporation, and, wherever possible, reinforce our community economic development objectives.
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Our History
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
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Our Staff
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.
Deb Arnott
Debra has been the General Manager for the Corporation, since 1992. She is responsible for the overall operations including negotiating programs for the area. She has a passion and years of experience in community economic development and works hard to ensure that programs remain in the rural communities that are serviced by Community Futures. Debra has had the opportunity to participate and interact with all levels of government, cultivating relationships to enhance support in the region.Deb Arnott
General ManagerLinsie Lachapelle
Linsie is the Office Manager. She is responsible for assisting the General Manager with the administration of the Lending Program and Projects; the technical support for all software and computers; providing coaching and mentorship to the Community Futures Office.Linsie Lachapelle
Office ManagerJan Morrison
Jan is the Receptionist/ Information Officer. She is responsible for providing secretarial, administrative and reception support to the Community Futures office. She also provides support and information to existing and future clients.Jan Morrison
Receptionist/ Information Officergo to top
Our Board
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
Scott Medlock
Scott Medlock is a resident of Hope and manages an auto parts store. Scott is an active community member serving as a Councilor for the District of Hope. He serves as a council liaison for the Advantage Hope Committee. He is the president of the Hope Lions Club. Scott has served as a director for the Hope and District Chamber of Commerce, is a member of the Hope Motorsports Group and serves as a member of the volunteer Fire Department. He enjoys the Sun Country area and is committed to promoting economic development in the area.Scott Medlock
ChairpersonVictor Smith
Victor Smith is a long term and active resident of Hope. His background is in The Mining and Construction Industry. He supports and encourages entrepreneurship, recognizes how instrumental businesses are in rural communities. The list of organizations Victor has participated in is endless. Victor was recently awarded the Provincial Champion for Volunteer of the year award. His tireless dedication to his community is inspiring to those around him.Victor Smith
Vice-ChairpersonKarma Kubbernus
Karma is a resident of Ashcroft and Branch Manager of the local Credit Union. Karma is the past President of the local Rotary Club and has been a representative at the National Young Leaders Conference. Karma seeks to have meaningful impacts in her community by way of professionalism, volunteer activities and working with charitable organizations. She likes to work in an environment that encourages leadership and lifelong learning. Karma is now green belt certified!Karma Kubbernus
Secretary / TreasurerMichelle Hawkins
Michelle joined the team as a Board Member August 2018. Michelle's background includes experience as a personal insurance advisor and operations manager for a business that is focused on wellness and support. Michelle has lived in the region since 1994. She is engaged in her community of Logan Lake, volunteering on the Logan Lake Wellness Health and Youth Society where she had to step down as Chair when she was hired as the Better at Home Coordinator. So on top of volunteering, she is now employed by a non-profit.Michelle Hawkins
DirectorAndrew May
Andrew May is a resident of Clinton and an active member in the community. He currently is on the Board of the South Cariboo Museum Society and is an Executive Member of the Clinton and District Economic Development Society. He has served on boards of several community groups, including Economic Development and Historical Societies in the Okanagan and South Cariboo. Andrew has been an instructor at Okanagan College, owner/ operator of an auto repair shop and Founder/ President of Procurement and Inventory Management ConsultancyAndrew May
DirectorYoriko Susanj
Yoriko joined the Community Futures Sun Country board as a director July 2019. Yoriko is a resident of Savona currently employed as a Regional Coordinator (BC/ Alta/ Yukon) for the Canadian Association of Elizabeth Fry Societies. Prior to becoming a Regional Coordinator, Yoriko was the Executive Director for the Elizabeth Fry Society. She also serves as a relief bookkeeper as well as a relief clerical worker for SD#73. She has 30 years experience in Karate where she has volunteered as an instructor for 25 years, and now has her own Dojo. Yoriko also shares her expertise with the local government as a Japanese translator. Yoriko is very involved in the region participating on many nonprofit societies. Yoriko has a passion for empowering individuals and understands the importance of local business.Yoriko Susanj
DirectorDona Radomsky
Dona became a resident of Logan Lake in 2004 as the community's Pharmacist Manager. She was instrumental in the formation of the Logan Lake Business Association and took the lead as chairperson for many years. She has since moved on but remains active in her community. She is now the director of the Logan Lake WHY.Dona Radomsky
Advisory Committee Member
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Congratulations on 30 years Community Futures!
~ Sam Hassam/ Owner, Lillooet BC
True Value Hardware
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Communities We Serve
Community Futures Sun Country covers a large geographical area in the interior of BC that stretches from Hope in the south to 70 Mile House in the north, and from Gold Bridge in the west to Logan Lake in the east. The service area covers approximately 35,000 square km and the region's population is approximately 23,000 people.
If your community isn't listed, give us a call 250-453-9165 or look your community up on the Location Finder
Pour obtenir le service en français appeler 1-877-732-3534
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