Ravi Kahlon, Minister of Jobs, Economic Recovery and Innovation, launches the Launch Online Grant Program, Feb. 3, 2021 (Image Credit: Flickr / Government of BC)

By Vancouver-False Creek MLA Brenda Bailey

Sound Off

SOUND OFF: More businesses can now Launch Online

Mar 24, 2021 | 1:57 PM

WE ALL WANT TO SEE OUR BELOVED local businesses succeed. During the past year, businesses have had to adapt to a lot of changes – and our New Democrat government has worked to be right there with them.

We started the Launch Online grant program to help businesses with the cost of setting up or improving their online store, so that they could adapt to the increase in demand for online shopping during the COVID-19 pandemic. In response to a huge number of applications, we are now expanding that program with an additional $30 million in funding, to help even more businesses.

This means that there will be a total of $42 million available in grants to B.C. businesses to amp up their online shopping experiences. About 3,500 businesses have already applied, and we expect that we’ll be able to help approximately 5,500 businesses through this grant. Business owners can apply today at launchonline.ca.

While the BC Liberals have questioned the value of providing online support to small businesses, it is clear that British Columbians are taking full advantage of this opportunity.

The pandemic has rapidly accelerated the shift to online shopping and booking, forcing businesses to make these changes to their business model on a shorter timeline.

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For most of us, our first stop when looking for a new product or service is to pull up a phone, tablet or laptop and search for the thing we want. And we tend to gravitate towards those businesses that have a modern, easy-to-use online store or booking system. By funding our local businesses to make this transition, we’re helping them get an edge in the market and reach more new customers.

As part of the expansion of the Launch Online program, we are now including businesses who want to set up or improve their online booking systems. This means that hair stylists, massage therapists, personal trainers, hotels, tour operators and more will be able to reach new clients with updated, efficient online booking systems.

In the words of Dr. Bonnie Henry, the pandemic has shown us that we are all in the same storm, but we are not all in the same boat. We want to make sure this program reaches as many business owners in need as possible. That’s why we are reserving 30 per cent of the funding for businesses that are owned by Black, Indigenous or People of Colour, and businesses located outside of the Lower Mainland and Greater Victoria.

Here in B.C., we can be proud that our government has the most comprehensive program in Canada to help people and businesses recover from the pandemic. In addition to Launch Online, business owners can check out the Small and Medium-Sized Business Recovery Grant, recently extended until August 31, as well as the Digital Marketing Bootcamp. We are committed to building a recovery that works for everyone.

Brenda Bailey is B.C.’s parliamentary secretary for technology and innovation.

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Editor’s Note: This opinion piece reflects the views of its author, and does not necessarily represent the views of CFJC Today or the Jim Pattison Broadcast Group.