Community Futures - Frequently Asked Questions

What is Community Futures?
Community Futures Central Kootenay is part of the Pan Canadian Community Futures Group – a network of community economic development organizations across Canada. We are a non-profit customer service organization devoted to assisting local business in the region. Learn more about our funders and partners.

Our mission is to facilitate and/or promote activities which will enhance the economic environment of our communities through entrepreneurial development and the creation of small business initiatives.

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What does Community Futures do?
We offer support to both existing business and those in the idea phase. We have a variety of services to assist local entrepreneurs through all phases of their business. Our services include:

• business counselling – call to book appointment
• workshops on business skills
• lending library for business research and education
• loans for new and existing businesses
• Internet and computer access for business research
• Self-Employment Program
• referrals to other entrepreneurial services

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I am not on Employment Insurance (EI). Can Community Futures still help me?
Yes. Only the Self-Employment Program requires an EI attachment. See Self-Employment Criteria for more information about this. All the rest of the services listed above are available for any local entrepreneur.

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How do I start a business?
We recommend that you research and write a business plan first in order to assess whether your business is viable. We can help you with this in the following ways:

• our library has reference copies of sample business plans - Small Business BC has sample business plans online
• we have a two-day business plan workshop that we offer once a month
• you may be eligible for the Self-Employment Program which provides assistance starting up a business

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How do I register my business?
Registering a business can include any of the following:

• Proprietorship or Partnership Name Registration
• PST Account – www.rev.gov.bc.ca/ctb
• Business number for Canada Customs and Revenue Agency for any of the following
  
  • GST
  • Payroll deductions
  • Corporate income tax
  • Import/export accounts
  • www.ccra-adrc.gc.ca/menu-e.html
    
• Municipal business licence for participating municipalities
• Register as an employer with WorkSafe BC (WCB)
• Apply for personal optional protection with WorkSafe BC

All of the above can be completed through a OneStop Business Registration process. For more information contact OneStop at:

www.onestopbc.ca
1-800-988-8299

There are many OneStop sites across the province, typically found in community business offices, such as Government Agents. See locations at: www.onestopbc.ca/locations.html

Additional information and publications about business startup are available at
www.smallbusinessbc.ca