RESOURCES & SUPPORT

Running a business in Fernie requires a valid business licence from the City of Fernie.  Check out their website to review the Business Licencing and Regulation Bylaw and complete the Business License Application.  There are also inter-municipal business licenses available to operate in neighbouring communities Sparwood and Elkford.

Visit gov.bc.ca for assistance on each of the following:

1. Develop your business idea
2. Choose a business structure
3. Request and reserve a business name
4. Register or incorporate
5. Get required licenses or permits

Led by a volunteer Board of Directors and a dedicated staff, Community Futures East Kootenay (CFEK) helps to foster strong, resilient local economies. CFEK promotes economic development and the creation of jobs and wealth in our region by providing small-business loans for start-up, expansion or the purchase of existing businesses.  In addition to financial support, CFEK offers a variety of business-related services, including knowledgeable, professional business consultation and access to training for entrepreneurs and their employees.

Columbia Basin Trust provide support in many ways, from project grants to services that can help you strengthen your organization. Search their Grants and Programs Directory to narrow down which programs best suit your needs.

WeBC is a not-for-profit that has been supporting women business owners across the province for nearly three decades. Working with our regional partners, we’ve provided thousands of entrepreneurs with business loans and expertise, training, resources, and peer network support to help businesses grow and thrive.

Funding for non-profit organizations and registered charities. BC Hydro offers community grants of up to $10,000 to support B.C. non-profit organizations and registered charities that are making a difference in their communities by either developing a new program or expanding an existing one.

BDC The Business Development Bank of Canada (BDC) supports small and medium-sized businesses in all industries and at every stage of growth with money and advice. Access their Small Business Loans online.

To help you find what you’re looking for, WeBC have complied a comprehensive list of Funding sources and grants available for Businesses in BC.

WorkBC helps people find jobs, explore career options and improve their skills. We also help employers fill jobs, find the right talent and grow their businesses.

Kootenay Employment Services (KES) is a local one-stop shop for employers and job seekers. Employers can access resources, post a job vacancy, find out more about wage subsidies and connect with an employer liaison. Job seekers can view available job postings, connect with an employment counsellor, access resources and enroll in training programs.

Work in Fernie is a workforce attraction website and job board for Fernie and area. This is a free tool for employers to use, simply create an account and start posting your job opportunities!

In addition to providing a no-fault insurance system, Worksafe BC partners with workers and employers to prevent injury, disease, and disability.

When work-related injuries or diseases occur, they provide compensation and support people in their recovery, rehabilitation, and safe return to work.

• Worksafe BC for Small Business Owners
• Worksafe BC for Employers

Hiring Employees? BC’s Labour Laws set standards for payment, compensation and working conditions in most workplaces.

The standards promote open communication, fair treatment and work-life balance for employees.

• Hiring your team
• Hours of work, breaks, and overtime
• Stat holidays in BC
• Paying your team
• Employing young people under 16
• Hiring temporary foreign workers

My Community Future workshops offer opportunities for deeper engagement, asking questions, and the chance to participate in hands-on activities (where applicable). Led by experienced professionals, these sessions focus on developing practical skills in areas like marketing, human resources, strategic planning, and more – designed to help you quickly apply what you learn.

View calendar

The Non-profit Advisors Program supports non-profits in Columbia Basin Trust’s region with organizational development and capacity building through a range of resources including organizational assessments and recommendations, specialized consulting support, information-sharing, skill-building workshops and webinars and an online reference library.

Learn more

WeBC empowers women entrepreneurs through tailored financing, mentorship, and business support.

View calendar

Export Navigator is a program that helps B.C. businesses diversify and grow by guiding them through the export process. Participating businesses are paired with community-based advisors who provide free support and ongoing guidance. We offer specialized services for businesses owned by Indigenous Peoples.

View calendar

The Basin Business Advisors (BBA) Program builds economic capacity in Basin communities by supporting existing businesses with expert advice and targeted education. The Basin Business Advisors (BBA) Program assists businesses within the Columbia Basin region, allowing entrepreneurs to seek support in different areas confidentially. 

Our local college offers Continuing Education Programs such as:

• Basic/Advance First aid
• Transportation Endorsement
• Mental Health First Aid
• Computer courses
• Safety courses of all kinds
• and more

CBAL offers in-person and online English classes for permanent residents and other newcomers to Canada.

View calendar

Professional Development Courses available for teams or individuals. Choose from over 17,700 courses, which are updated weekly.

The BC Chamber of Commerce is the largest business association in British Columbia, representing 100 chambers of commerce and boards of trade, and 36,000 businesses of every size, and from every sector and region of the province. With a rich history that spans 70 years, the BC Chamber of Commerce is an established voice in the business community and has helped shape government public policy and decision-making to empower British Columbia’s businesses.

The Canadian Chamber of Commerce is a business association that, along with our network of local, regional, provincial and territorial chambers of commerce, communicates the needs of business to government at all levels to influence policies, regulations and decisions that are critical to creating a favourable environment where businesses can succeed and our families, communities and country can flourish.

• How’s Work? Life in the Workplace
• Work – Life Balance Quiz
• What’s your stress index?
• BC Mental Health Support Line: 310-6789

Check out our Business Directory here.