Community Economic Development
Projects and Partnerships
Serving the Boundary Region Since 1992.
Community Futures Boundary has delivered economic development services for the Boundary Region since 1992. We work together with local government, grassroots organizations, and other community partners to initiate and support economic development projects and activities.
In recent years, we have focussed economic development efforts on Grand Forks, and the immediate surrounding area. We act as first point of contact for business and investment inquiries and collaborate with the Regional Chamber of Commerce on shop local and business retention initiatives. Our goal is to create a resilient business community, while attracting new business and investment for sustainable growth.
Manager Community Economic Development
Community Futures Boundary
sandy@boundarycf.com
In 2018, the Boundary Region sustained the worst flooding event in B.C.’s recent history, and Community Futures Boundary proudly participated in a community led recovery process. With the support of many partners, including the Canadian Red Cross, and the Regional District of Kootenay Boundary, our organization was able to produce short and long term recovery plans and to advocate for funding to help support business. In the end, we successfully advocated for almost $3 Million dollars to support our businesses and agricultural sector.
Economic Development Practitioners Network (EDPN)
The EDPN network is comprised of over 30 professional economic development practitioners throughout the Columbia Basin/Boundary region. The mission of EDPN is to build a strong network to improve the effectiveness of economic development practitioners in the Basin Boundary region.
Community Futures Boundary is an active member of the steering committee and participates regularly in Network activities.
Economic Development Services City of Grand Forks/Rural Grand Forks
Community Futures Boundary is the first point of contact for Economic Development and Investment inquiries for Grand Forks. This means that we answer questions from existing and prospective business owners about anything related to the economy and/or investment possibilities. We also coordinate an Economic Development Advisory Committee made up of key business sectors in the region who share their challenges and opportunities. They help shape our Economic Development WorkPlan and act in an advisory capacity for the economic development work we do.
Grand Forks Community Centre
Starting in 2018, Community Futures Boundary, with the support of the Regional District of Kootenay Boundary and the City of Grand Forks, developed a comprehensive concept design project for a Community Centre in Grand Forks. The project now rests with the Regional District of Kootenay Boundary and the City of Grand Forks with an eye towards a referendum process in the near future.
Grand Forks Sector Development Project
Funded by ETSI-BC, this project builds on two (2) years of success and momentum developed through the Invest in Grand Forks program, which is an investment and citizen attraction program. In partnership with Lochaven Consulting, Community Futures Boundary will develop Sector Development Action Plans and Sector Profiles for Agriculture, Hospitality, and Health Care industry sectors within Grand Forks.
Imagine Kootenay
Imagine Kootenay is a marketing program that raises the profile of the Kootenay Boundary region. The website is designed specifically to connect small business buyers and sellers in the Kootenay/Boundary region. Community Futures Boundary contracts with the Regional District Kootenay Boundary (RDKB) to provides first point of contact services for Imagine Kootenay within the Boundary Region. We work closely with realtors and business owners to showcase available business opportunities.
BC Business Match is a 1-on-1 concierge service matching business buyers to businesses for sale across BC. This Community Futures Network 34 initiative helps entrepreneurs find the right business for their skills, interests and needs, and helps sellers professionally prepare their businesses for sale.
Assistance is available every step of the way, including business purchase training, business valuations, online business listings, business purchase mediation, and ongoing advisory services. The initiative is designed to sustain and grow the local economies of non-metropolitan BC communities, support business owners as they make their exit, and lead the way for new owners to set up shop and continue to offer the goods and services their communities need.
Discover Grand Forks is a sub committee of the Boundary Regional Chamber of Commerce that provides up to date information on everything there is to discover about Grand Forks. Whether it’s dining, hiking, biking or accommodations, they know it all!
Exporting allows you to expand the horizons of your small business beyond the local market. Export Navigator’s community-based advisors provide FREE support and ongoing guidance to help your business grow outside of B.C.
Whether you need export advice or help with developing export strategies and researching new markets, we are standing by to connect you with expert guidance. For more information go to www.exportnavigator.ca.
With economic development as its foundation, Venture Connect occupies a unique space in the business buy and sell marketplace. Local knowledge and experience is leveraged along with collaborative relationships with Community Futures, Economic Development Agencies, Immigration Consultants, Real Estate Agents, Brokers and Government to achieve mutual goals.
Services assist:
- Business owners to prepare their business for sale and understand its position in the marketplace
- Business buyers, both local and foreign, to identify and acquire appropriate businesses
- Listing agents, business sellers and economic development agencies to expose their opportunities and connect them with buyers
- Economic development agencies and government by gathering and analyzing data and providing trends in the rural business landscape
Community Futures Boundary
Grand Forks, BC
Box 2949, 1647 Central Avenue
Grand Forks, BC V0H 1H0
Phone Numbers
Toll Free: 1-877-267-9399
Telephone: 250-442-2722
Business Loans ext 222
Fax Number
Fax Number: 250-442-5311
