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Central Okanagan business walkers hear a familiar refrain

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Larry Widmer of Community Futures (left), Okanagan-Mission MLA Steve Thomson and city Councillor Gail Given (right) talk with Leo Bartels of Leo's Videos in the South Pandosy during Tuesday's Business Walk.
 
Alistair Waters/Capital News
 
 
Published: October 02, 2013 5:00 PM
Updated: October 02, 2013 5:16 PM

The song remains the same for Central Okanagan businesses - recruitment and retention of employees is still a major issue.

Once again, that was the predominant feeling of business owners and operators interviewed during this week's second full Business Walk in the Central Okanagan. (An industry specific walk focussing on manufacturing was held in May.)

According to walk coordinator Corie Griffiths, business development officer with the Central Okanagan Economic Development Commission, more than 380 businesses were visited and interviewed briefly by 27 teams of "walkers" Tuesday, about 50 more than the the 320 visited last year.

This year the walk included areas in Peachland, West Kelowna, the Westbank First Nation reserve, Lake Country and three areas in Kelowna—downtown, Rutland and South Pandosy, with South Pandosy being new this year.

Griffiths said she was not surprised that employee recruitment and retention was once again a central concern for businesses here as our demographic has more people leaving the workforce here than entering it.

She said while the numbers are preliminary, it appears that the number of owners and operators reporting business as steady or improving this year is about the same as last year. In 2012, 88 per cent of those visited by the walk teams had the optimistic outlook.

One of the businesses visited in South Pandosy was Leo's Videos, one of just two movie rental stores left in the city.

Owner Leo Bartel's said he was happy to see the walk team and glad it had provincial, as wel as municipal and Community Futures representation.

He said business has been picking up in the last year but still is not where is was during the recession.

Still, he said improvements to the South Pandosy business district has helped attract more people and that has been god to see.

A full public report on the 2013 Business Walk is expected to be complete within the next few weeks.

Griffith said this year, there was a stronger participation by politicians, with two of the three local MLAs, Norm Letnick and Steve Thomson joining walk teams, as well as MP Ron Cannan and several Kelowna city councillors. City staff also participated, as well as other provincial and local representatives and business people.

And the business walk concept  appears to be catching on elsewhere.

While the province now uses it as a tool in its resources for small business, at the same time as the walk was happening here, there was also a business walk taking place in Vernon.

Griffiths said the EDC here shared its information with its counterpart in Vernon and it was decided to do a pilot walk there this year to gauge the business climate in the north Okanagan city as well.

see full story at :

http://www.kelownacapnews.com/news/226226901.html

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HuStream Secures $125K in Growth Capital from Community Futures

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September 11, 2013

HuStream today announces that they have secured $125K in growth capital from Community Futures.  The company is preparing to expand operations and establish their presence as the dominant market leaders for Interactive Video.

”We have a fairly aggressive growth strategy planned for the next 12 months,” says Peter Matejcek, Co-Founder & CEO for HuStream. “This funding is an essential piece to ensure we hire the right people to hit our goals.” HuStream plans growth in two key areas – Sales and Marketing – with strategies for both departments aimed at pure revenue generation and accelerating HuStream’s industry presence.  “The market for our innovative Interactive Video product has firmed up, and with 90+ clients and 5 years of operations under our belt we have the opportunity to be the dominant player in our industry.” adds Matejcek.

In July of 2013, the Loan and Investment Review Committee for Community Futures voted unanimously in support of the funding.  “HuStream has smartly positioned itself for substantial growth.” Says Scott Carlson, Business Analyst for Community Futures.  “Its contagiously passionate management team impressed us with their thoughtful business strategy and eye for detail.  It was an easy decision for us to assist with financing to help accelerate their growth.”

About HuStream
Founded in 2008, HuStream is a pioneer in the creation of innovative Interactive Videos and have worked with world-class organizations that include Microsoft, Intel, Lenovo, Sage, as well as local companies Tourism Kelowna, RDCO, and Accelerate Okanagan.
http://www.hustream.com/.

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About Community Futures Development Corporation
The Community Futures Development Corporation of the Central Okanagan is a community based organization funded primarily by Western Economic Diversification Canada. Programs are governed by a volunteer board of local business professionals and community leaders. Founded in 1990, the Central Okanagan office has made 837 loans for a total of over $19 million to help start or expand businesses in the Central Okanagan.

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$1,500 of Business Development Training for BC Small Businesses

The Chamber Learning Network (CLN), owned by the BC Chamber of Commerce, is a membership driven organization that represents the interests of private training providers across BC. Through membership in CLN, Community Futures Development Corporation of Central Okanagan can now offer up to $1,500 of business development training to small business owners in the Central Okanagan.

The Micro-Business Training Pilot Program (“MBT Program”) offers eligible, small business owners funded training programs in general business skills such as bookkeeping, marketing, social media, management and other areas with the goal of improving productivity, decreasing costs and generating new revenue.

Eligible micro-business owners receive up to $1500 of funding support for courses in a variety of formats (online, classroom and/or one-on-one) offered by training institutions across the province including universities, colleges, PCTIA accredited institutions and Private Trainers.

The MBT Program runs through March 31, 2014 with the last applications being accepted December 31, 2013 dependant on funding availability. The program targets a minimum of 1,200 participants and funding support is available to eligible applicants on a first come, first served basis.

This program is available to every eligible business owner across the province, and training options are available in every region, including online or elearning options.

Click www.bcmicrobusiness.com/programs to find out more information and to apply for funding.

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