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BUSINESS RESOURCES
The North Okanagan has numerous financial institutions for business
support services. For example, all of the major chartered banks
are represented and each of the communities has a credit union.
Many other organizations and companies also provide alternative
capital opportunities for businesses in the region. The communities
within the North Okanagan also
have many business associations and programs providing information,
support and assistance.
MAJOR CHARTERED BANKS:
Bank Of Montreal
3200 30th Ave, Vernon (250) 545-4000
510 Cliff Ave, Enderby (250) 838-6421
Bank of Nova
Scotia
Main Branch, 3213 30th Ave, Vernon (250) 260-5500
Village Green Branch, 4790 27th St., Vernon (250) 260-5529
1989 Vernon St., Lumby (250) 547-2175
CIBC
3201 30th Ave, Vernon (250) 260-6300
Village Green Branch,4900 27th St., Vernon (250) 260-6300
2550 Pleasant Valley Blvd, Armstrong (250) 546-3104
Royal Bank
3131 30th Ave, Vernon (250) 558-4300
Polson Place Mall, 2306 Hwy 6 Vernon (250) 558-4310
Village Green Mall, Vernon (250) 558-4320
TD Bank Financial
Group
9880 3300 32nd St., Vernon (250) 260-5725
Hong Kong Bank of Canada
3321 30th Ave, Vernon (250) 542-3345
Business Development
Bank of Canada
The Business Development Bank of Canada has developed a wide range
of financing alternatives to respond to the unique and financial
needs of every type of business. The BDC also offers a wide range
of business counseling, management training and mentoring services.
Contact (250) 260-5050
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CREDIT UNIONS / TRUST
COMPANIES
Valley First
Credit Union
3322 31st Ave, Vernon (250) 558-5266
2575 Patterson Ave, Armstrong (250) 546-3191
2109 Shuswap Ave, Lumby - (250) 547-8847
Enderby & District Credit Union
701 Mill Ave, Enderby (250) 838-6841
Vernon & District
Credit Union
3108 33rd Ave, Vernon (250) 545-9251
Interior
Savings Credit Union
4301 32nd Ave, Vernon (250) 545-1234
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MORTGAGE & FINANCE COMPANIES
There are numerous companies from which mortgage services are
available as well as mortgage brokers and independent consultants
who will assist in advice and locating mortgage company services.
Many Kelowna and Vancouver
companies also have toll free numbers for the public in the North
Okanagan region.
In addition finance companies in Vernon
work with businesses and individuals to provide access to funds.
Canada Wide Mortgages 3-2504 43rd St., Vernon (250) 558-1663
Centum Max Mortgage Corp 2901 32nd St., Vernon (250) 550-7732
CitiFinancial 2601 Hwy 6, Vernon (250) 5450704
Edgewood Mortgage Investments Ltd. 3130 31st Ave, Vernon
(250) 542-0308
1st Landmark Mortgage 2807 31st St.,
Vernon (250) 260-7070
Mortgage Company Inc. 101-2411 Hwy 6, Vernon (250) 260-4650
Intercity Mortgage 2702 48th Ave, Vernon (250) 260-6740
Kal-Mor Mortgages & Investments Ltd. 3304 30th Ave, Vernon
(250) 549-3250
The Mortgage Center 7055 Amber, Vernon (250) 260-7755
Okanagan Approval Group
202 2907 32dn St. Vernon (250) 558-1111
Trans Canada Credit 117-3101 Hwy6, Vernon (250) 549-1151
Intel Financial Inc Vernon (250) 549-2787
Liberty Mortgage & Development Corp 138 Horner, Lumby (250)
547-6630
Vintage Valley Mortgage 5300 26th St. Vernon (250) 260-7070
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LEASING SERVICES
There are many toll free numbers to leasing companies in Vancouver
and Kelowna and the North Okanagan
has one company in Vernon
providing leasing services to the region.
Marjak
Services Ltd. Provides mainly automotive, some lighter equipment
leasing.
4602 27th St.,
Vernon, BC
Telephone: (250) 558-0525
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ALTERNATIVE BUSINESS FINANCING
Community Futures Development
Corporation - North Okanagan
The Loan Programs at Community Futures Development Corporation
(CFDC) provide funding for new ventures and business maintenance
or expansion, through loans, guarantees or equity investments
up to $125,000 per project. Projects should indicate a potential
for community economic benefit and individual commercial viability.
CFDC has four investment funds for new and existing entrepreneurs
with specific funds for youth businesses, businesses owned by
disabled persons and businesses in the forestry/value-added work
area. For information on financing opportunities, contact Community
Futures Development Corporation of the North
Okanagan at (250) 545-2215.
Venture Capital
In the North Okanagan, there
are organizations that provide access to capital in the form of
loans and venture capital for business financing to create and
maintain employment in the community. A list of Venture Capitalists
in Canada that provide Venture Capital
opportunities is available at the Strategis
Website.
VentureBC
VentureBC is a venture capital organization that works to assist
young companies and entrepreneurs to broaden their funding base
by attracting capital from a growing network of investors. The
organization also provides access to a network of resource people,
information sources, and potential mentors to assist companies.
For more information, contact VentureBC head office in Kelowna,
at (250) 860-9515.
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FINANCIAL SERVICE AGENCIES
Many of the insurance agencies in the North
Okanagan region also have financial service agencies
to provide financial planning and investment advice. In the region
there are 28 companies and certified financial planners to assist
in areas such as investment portfolio management. Many chartered
accountants are also experienced in financial planning consultation.
Each community in the North Okanagan
has access to insurance companies that provide all types of coverage
for business as well as the individual. Coverage for all buildings,
inventory and equipment, group employee benefit packages and bonding
is available for any business owner in the region. Insurance companies
also provide business interruption coverage to cover ongoing expenses
such as mortgage, leasing or loan payments for incidents that
cause a reduction or ceasing of profit and liability insurance
to cover any incidents that could result in lawsuits of varying
magnitude.
Coverage for the individual ranging from travel, life insurance,
home, automobile, tenants coverage and coverage for farms, is
available from many agencies within the region.
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BUSINESS ASSOCIATIONS & PROGRAMS
The North Okanagan region has many business associations and programs
that provide informational services as well as support, representation
and assistance for all sizes of business.
BC CHAMBER OF COMMERCE
Each community has a local Chamber of Commerce that provides a
collective voice for business to the municipal, provincial and
federal levels of government. Generally, the Chamber provides
services and offers benefits when becoming a Chamber Member such
as advertising, transportation, communications and group insurance
plans. As well, the Chamber of Commerce provides the opportunity
for networking, a community directory and the coordination of
local community activities.
Greater Vernon Chamber
of Commerce
701 Hwy 97 South
Vernon, BC V1B 3W4
Telephone: (250) 545-0771
Fax: (250) 545-3114
Armstrong
/ Spallumcheen Chamber of Commerce
3550 Bridge Street, Box 118
Armstrong, BC V0E 1B0
Tel: (250) 546-8155
Fax: (250) 546-8868
Enderby
& District Chamber of Commerce
700 Railway St.
Enderby, BC V0E 1V0
Telephone: (250) 838-6727
Fax: (250) 838-0123
Lumby
& District Chamber of Commerce
2400 Vernon St, Box 534
Lumby, BC V0E 2G0
Telephone: (250) 547-2300
Fax: (250) 547-2300
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COMMUNITY FUTURES DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION -North Okanagan
The Community Futures Development Corporation (CFDC) covers the
North Okanagan region and works towards "assisting the citizens
of the North Okanagan to achieve significant improvements in
permanent employment and sustainable development". CFDC assists
with the identification of opportunities for community economic
development for the North Okanagan
and encourages and facilitates the coordination of all community
stakeholders toward the creation of a favourable climate for business.
Some of the programs and activities offered at the Community Futures
Development Corporation - North Okanagan
include:
- Business Development
Center
- Training
- Employment Assistance Services
- Community Computer Access
Community Futures Development Corporation - North Okanagan
3105 33rd Street
Vernon, BC
V1T 9P7
Telephone: (250) 545-2215
Fax: (250) 545-1532
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OKANAGAN
FILM COMMISSION
The Okanagan Film Commission provides film and TV production companies
with the services of: script breakdown, scouting and surveys,
a database of local crewpersons, locations photo library, community
liaison, accommodation and amenities assistance, crisis resolution,
government and regulatory agency coordination, general support.
OKANAGAN
SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY COUNCIL
The Okanagan Science and Technology Council is a membership driven
organization to foster an environment that supports science and
technology initiatives by acting as a representative and advocate for
the interests of members and the business community as a whole.
INTERIOR
VALUE ADDED WOOD ASSOCIATION
The Interior Value Added Wood Association (IVAWA) is an industry
group that promotes the interests of secondary wood manufacturers
in the Thompson-South Okanagan and Kootenays. The main focus of
the IVAWA's activities has been improving and developing secure
supplies of fibre for member companies. In this regard it has
an effective lobby with the Ministry of Forests. More recently,
the association has worked to keep members on top of quota issues
under the Canada/US softwood lumber agreement. Members also benefit
from the opportunity to network informally with colleagues with
common business interests and problems. The collective knowledge
and access to information of the membership strengthens the business
position of all the individual members of the association.
DOWNTOWN
VERNON ASSOCIATION
The Downtown Vernon Association is an organization that works
to "ensure that Vernon's
core remains a vibrant and colourful neighbourhood - the regions
first choice for goods, services and amenities". The DVA
provides networking functions, promotional events, community information
and representation for the downtown businesses.
Downtown Vernon
Association
"The Station" #4 3101 29th St
Vernon, BC V1T 5A8
Telephone: (250) 542-5851
Fax: (250) 545-0001
VERNON
TOURISM
The mandate of Vernon Tourism is "to provide visitor information
services and to promote and market tourism on behalf of the city
of Vernon, District of Coldstream and the North Okanagan Regional
District Electoral areas B and C".
Vernon Tourism
Watson House
701 Highway 97 South
Vernon BC V1B 3W4
Telephone (250) 542-1415
Fax (250) 542-3256
Reservations 1-800-667-0795
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VERNON WOMEN IN BUSINESS
Vernon Women In Business was formed in early 1908 to provide a
supportive network for working women and to encourage the development
of existing and/or aspiring business owners. The Women in Business
organization offers the opportunity for:
- Networking with other business
people
- Interaction and chance to
voice common concerns
- Enhancing professional development
through various guest speakers
- Increasing awareness of
trends and opportunities in the business community
- Providing a scholarship
fund for the community
- Providing exposure and advertising
opportunities
Information on membership and meeting schedules
can be obtained through the Women in Business President. The Greater
Vernon Chamber of Commerce will be able to provide the name and
contact number of the current president.
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