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.

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.

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 Pacific Economic Development Canada

Performance Results 2020-2021

Reports

• 2020-2021 Audited Financial Statements
• 2020-2021 Annual Report
• 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

Testimonial provided by Alfi Elden, Arte Fact Jewels

The one-to-one phone support received weekly by myself on behalf of my small business Arte Fact Jewels, from Andre Kuerbis of Community Futures has been invaluable.  Not only has it motivated and supported my desire to continue to maintain and expand my business, but I have received constructive and specific advice that I can act upon.  As a creative producer of one-at-a-time products, this kind of support enables me to approach the marketing and administrative aspects of my business with more confidence and knowledge.

Testimonial provided by one of our clients, Fence 'N More Supplies Ltd.

I just want to write and tell you what a treasure Arnice is!  I'm not even certain I can put into words how incredibly grateful we are for her assistance.  Everything she has worked on with and for us so far has been amazing!  Her knowledge runs deeper than I have ever come across and she is able to explain in ways we understand.  Just wanted to say how much we appreciate her, and Community Futures for this amazing opportunity!

Testimonial provided by one of our clients, Bubbles Blossom Design

Community Futures Sun Country has encouraged me to take my small florist business to places I didn't think it could go!  Deb Arnott and the team have been a wonderful resource for knowledge and financial assistance.  Due ti the loans I obtained, I was able to build my wonderful shop space, and do some much-needed equipment updates.

I have so much to learn about business and bookkeeping; Community Futures always shows me where I need to put my focus and finds ways to educate me and grow in these areas.

Because of this support, I feel that I was able to grow my business more quickly than I would have been able to on my own.  I am also adamant that the guidance I have received from Community Futures will help me to achieve longevity in my business ventures because I am aware of how to manage my cashflow and plan for the future.

 Testimonial provided by Patsy Gessey

Within a few days of losing our home and outbuildings in the Lytton Fire I was contacted by Arnice Asquin of Community Futures Sun Country with a message of condolence and support.

After the ashes settled and I began to realize the implications the fire had created for my business I was able to join forces with Arnice to create a plan.  She then turned the idea into solid financial support for me to help with my recovery journey and the immediate needs of my business.  The rapid response to our needs in the face of this tragedy was so very encouraging.

Community Futures Sun Country has been a constant resource for me over the years and was again there to help in our time of need.  Hats off to your organization, thank you for this essential service to our community and your unfaltering community spirit. 

Testimonial provided by Heidi Alther

I am truly grateful for Andre's positivity, support and mentorship.  Andre's business experience has been evident throughout this process.  He shares generously his extensive knowledge of best business practices.  He respects my knowledge of the arts, listens and understands the unique nature of art practice.  I am delighted to report that, in a large part because of Andre's mentorship, I am ahead of my projected business goals.  I have had three art exhibitions and sold the majority of art that was for sale, projected business goals.  I have had three art exhibitions and sold the majority of art that was for sale, as well as secured two significant commissions.

In addition, I have been offered an extended artist residency to paint and teach portraiture at a local Gallery three months ahead of this projected goal in my Business Plan.  Andre continues to inspire me to keep on track with my goals, to be open to new opportunities and to remember why I started.  I do not think I would have come this far this fast without the benefit of Andre's coaching.

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.

Full list of our Communities

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