Business Help - Community Futures Sun Country

Counselling and advisory services

Successful small businesses don't just happen; they grow out of careful research and planning. Community Futures Sun Country believes that entrepreneurs are key agents of diversification and sustainability – much-needed ingredients for maintaining rural economic health and prosperity. Our expert staff has a wealth of services to offer you, regardless of the stage you are at with your business idea.

We can help you with:

Obtaining a small business loan
Accessing small business seminars
Writing a business plan, cash flow sheet or marketing plan
Creating realistic financial projections
Improving your business plan for financing purposes
Finding other assistance programs which might work for you

For more information about what we do, or to set up an appointment, please contact us.

Check out our:

Client Privacy Policy

Loan Appeal Process

Micro-Loan Application

NexGen Micro Loan Application

COVID-19 Loan Program

Application Form

Personal Overview

Our Loan Products

Business programs

Entrepreneurs with Disabilities

The Entrepreneurs with Disabilities Program offers small business loans to people with disabilities who are interested in starting or growing their own business.

Loans are available to entrepreneurs with a viable business idea who have a disability or an ongoing health condition.

In house or on-line resources and training are available for supporting your goal of self-employment.

Who Can Apply

Entrepreneurs with a disability or an ongoing health condition.
Live in a rural community in British Columbia.
Have a viable business idea and suitable personal investment.

How are our loans geared to help you?

Flexible repayment options suited to your business needs.
Repayable Business Loans available from small amounts up to a maximum of $150,000

Services We Offer

Business Consultation.
Free assistance with Business Plan development.
Referral to Business Resources including training, other financing, and business contacts.

Established in 1986, the BC Community Futures Network consists of 34 Community Futures offices across the province, as well as a provincial association located in Vancouver.

Our newly expanded Entrepreneurs with Disabilities program assists individuals with disabilities to access small business loans in order to support their pursuit of self-employment. Self employment can offer people with disabilities flexible work arrangements and the opportunity to build on their existing skills and expertise while generating additional income.

Community Futures EDP Website: http://www.cf-edp.ca

Business succession

Succession Planning

We all know that the “baby boomers” are getting older and starting to retire – and some of them are small business owners. We call these individuals “Generation Exit” – a whole generation of business owners wanting to exit the small business world. Are you one of these people?

In 2006 it was estimated that more than 40% of small business owners planned to leave their businesses in the next five years, and more than 70% within the next ten years. Yet up to 71% of these business owners didn’t have a plan on how to exit their business.

It is anticipated that over the next 20 years there will be many more businesses than there are owners and employees – resulting in the potential closure of many small businesses throughout Sun Country Region. This will have an impact on employment, economic output, business formation and the availability of services in our region.

We at Community Futures Sun Country recognize the importance of succession planning – of the need for services and resources for business owners wanting to retire from their business.

For more information about the potential impacts of “Generation Exit” please contact us.

Community Futures and Venture Connect

Community Futures is taking a proactive approach to assist businesses owners that are wanting to sell their business. For more information please do not hesitate to call the office at 1-800-567-9911 to speak with Deb Arnott, General Manager.

For more information, please click here.

Business partnerships

Business Parnerships

Do you work with small business clients? Maybe we can partner with you.

Are you a lawyer, realtor, banking professional, or anyone else who has regular contact with local small business owners? Do they need small business loans or business training in order to grow? We may be able to work together to support rural entrepreneurs and small businesses in our region. We are sure you will agree that we all need to do as much as we can to support rural communities, strengthen rural economies, and ensure our region’s ongoing sustainability.

In the course of your work, you may become aware of entrepreneurs trying to start up or expand a business. They may well be eligible for one of our loans, and could benefit from being referred to our office.

As a developmental lender, we can often lend money to businesses or individuals whom banks are unable to assist. Many financial institutions refer clients on to us as another potential source of financing. Or, we may work with financial institutions on joint financing for clients. Many entrepreneurs have had success using a combination of loans from both Community Futures and their financial institution.

We invite you to peruse this website and find out more about Community Futures and our services, and to contact us with your partnering ideas.