Close X
Thursday, November 14, 2024
ADVT 
National

B.C. adds funds to online business grant program

Darpan News Desk The Canadian Press, 17 Mar, 2021 09:58 PM
  • B.C. adds funds to online business grant program

The B.C. government says it's adding $30 million to its program aimed at helping businesses build or expand their online operations during the COVID-19 pandemic in response to high demand for the grant money.

The province committed $12 million last month to launch its online grant program, which was set to provide 1,500 businesses with up to $7,500.

Premier John Horgan says more than 3,500 businesses have applied so far, exhausting the initial fund.

The province says the additional money will help about 4,000 more businesses.

Horgan says the grants will help businesses adapt to the way the pandemic has pushed more customers to shop online, while the program has also been expanded to include businesses that sell services in addition to goods, benefiting the tourism sector and those with online booking systems.

B.C. says 30 per cent of the funds will be reserved for businesses whose owners are Black, Indigenous and people of colour, which is up from the 25 per cent that was previously set aside for Indigenous and rural businesses.

The province says in a news release that successful applicants will work with local service providers to complete their online store, meaning the grants help support marketing and technology companies in the province.

"More B.C. small businesses from the hardest hit sectors will have access to the tools they need to boost their online presence, grow their e-commerce capacity and become more resilient," Horgan said in a statement on Wednesday.

MORE National ARTICLES

Low-wage women hit hardest by COVID-19: report

Low-wage women hit hardest by COVID-19: report
Employment among women remains about 5.3 per cent below where it sat in February 2020 just before the first wave of COVID-19, compared to about 3.7 per cent for men.

Low-wage women hit hardest by COVID-19: report

Don't let COVID-19 undo progress for women: PM

Don't let COVID-19 undo progress for women: PM
The prime minister says politicians should listen to the voices of women, not only when it comes to economic recovery but also on fighting systemic racism, climate change and gender-based violence.

Don't let COVID-19 undo progress for women: PM

Pfizer first planned February rollout in Canada

Pfizer first planned February rollout in Canada
On Aug. 1, Canada signed an agreement with Pfizer to buy at least 20 million doses, with the option to buy 56 million more, and approval was not expected until early 2021.

Pfizer first planned February rollout in Canada

634 COVID19 cases for Friday

634 COVID19 cases for Friday
Of the active cases, 255 individuals are currently hospitalized with COVID-19, 66 of whom are in intensive care. The remaining people are recovering at home in self-isolation.

634 COVID19 cases for Friday

TransLink tests technology to sanitize air on buses

TransLink tests technology to sanitize air on buses
The technology, which has been tested for safe exposure levels, is already used in other sectors such as the hotel and restaurant industries.

TransLink tests technology to sanitize air on buses

Delayed B.C. tax changes coming into effect

Delayed B.C. tax changes coming into effect
The tax will apply to all beverages dispensed through soda fountains or similar equipment, along with all beverages dispensed through vending machines.

Delayed B.C. tax changes coming into effect