July 28, 2020 – Abbotsford, BC – The Abbotsford Business Community Coalition (ABCC) is pleased to announce that it has awarded $40,000 in grants from its Small Business Emergency Fund, providing critical support to local independent businesses that are beginning the recovery from COVID-19.
“This makes a big difference for small businesses like mine,” said grant recipient Josh Reynolds of Illustrate Collective. “The money helps, but it’s also reassuring just to be reminded that the business community has our back.”
“This goes to show that supporting each other is indeed what locals do, and we really appreciate it,” said grant recipient Denise Seebach of Hair by D. “Grants like these help small businesses while we are all trying our best to survive and find ways to adapt.”
The Small Business Emergency Fund was created through financial contributions from ABCC members the Abbotsford Downtown Business Association, Abbotsford Chamber of Commerce, Abbotsford Tech District, University of the Fraser Valley, and Community Futures South Fraser. The fund offers non-repayable grants to support immediate business operation needs as COVID-19 physical distancing measures are lifted and during economic recovery.
A recent donation of $5,000 from Community Futures South Fraser increased the funding available for the current pool of applicants that applied in June, allowing more grants to be disbursed. Over 100 grant applications were received, of which 20 were selected after a careful review and assessment process. Applications that were not granted this round will be considered based on further fundraising success by ABCC.
ABCC continues to champion Support Local BC, an initiative created to help local, independent businesses with cashflow during the COVID-19 pandemic and recovery by selling gift certificates for future use. Its #WhatLocalsDo advertising and social media campaign, and video featuring local comedians Cliff Prang and Sunee Dhaliwal launched on Friday, May 22nd gained notable coverage on CTV. If you haven’t checked it out yet, the media coverage is available here and final video is available here.
“Small business owners like us are proud to work hard, make our own way, and give back to the community when we can,” said grant recipient Ryan Sidhu of Abby Wedding. “It can be tough to ask for help, but it was so meaningful that supporters stepped up to make sure that people like us can keep our dreams alive.”
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About the Abbotsford Business Community Coalition:
The Abbotsford Business Community Coalition (ABCC) was launched to align and coordinate efforts to support Abbotsford businesses during the COVID-19 pandemic, to lay the groundwork for economic recovery, and to inspire and mobilize optimism and economic confidence in the community. Its goal is to bring together the Abbotsford business community in a lasting partnership that is stronger, more resilient, and more united after COVID-19 has passed.
ABCC’s coalition is anchored by a core group of business leaders and organizations including the Abbotsford Chamber of Commerce, Abbotsford Downtown Business Association, Abbotsford Tech District, City of Abbotsford, Community Futures South Fraser, Fraser Valley Indo Canadian Business Association, Tourism Abbotsford, the University of the Fraser Valley, and YXX – Abbotsford Airport. Our efforts are amplified by our media partners at the Abbotsford News, Patrika Newspaper, STAR 98.3 FM, and Country 107.1 FM.
Contact:
Katerina Anastasiadis
Executive Director
Abbotsford Chamber of Commerce
katerina@abbotsfordchamber.com
Jennifer McEwan
Executive Director
Abbotsford Downtown Business Association
jennifer@downtownabbotsford.com