Mobilizing Local Capital
There is a need to increase the rates of business creation and expansion in many rural regions of the province. Lack of access to capital is often cited as a major barrier to rural business development. However, experience in other jurisdictions has clearly shown that when given an opportunity, rural residents want to invest in their communities.
Recognizing this need, SIBAC is undertaking two major initiatives.
First, SIBAC is continuing to encourage the BC provincial government to create a BC equivalent of the extremely successful Nova Scotia CEDIF program.
Second, SIBAC has committed resources to help create at least three rural investment cooperatives in the Southern Interior by the end of 2018.
If you are interested in establishing a rural investment cooperative in your community please contact us, at info@bcruralcentre.org.