Small Business Support
Starting up, hiring, surviving a wildfire season, or just trying to keep the lights on, here's what Silvermere's business-support ecosystem looks like.
Small business in Silvermere
Half the storefronts in town are someone's dream job.
Silvermere has a small-but-mighty ecosystem for local entrepreneurs: a working Chamber of Commerce, a co-working space downtown, Highlands Business Centre lending, provincial small-business programs, and growing support for wildfire-season business continuity.
This page is the consolidated overview. For the permit and licence process, see Business Licences and Permits & Planning.
First calls
- Silvermere Chamber of Commerce
- silvermere.example
Silvermere & District Chamber of Commerce
The Chamber is an umbrella organization covering Silvermere and surrounding areas. In addition to the traditional Chamber role (advocacy, networking, member services), it operates several related programs:
- Chamber of Commerce , membership, advocacy, business directory.
- Visitors Centre , tourism gateway for visitors and locals.
- Destination Silvermere (DMO) , destination marketing organization promoting Silvermere regionally and provincially.
- Economic Development , investment attraction and retention initiatives.
- Confluence Co-working Space , shared workspace for remote workers, start-ups, and visiting professionals.
Contact: silvermere.example.
Getting a business licence in Silvermere
All businesses operating in Silvermere require a City business licence. The application is handled by City Hall Development Services.
- Application: see Business Licences for the process and fees.
- West Highlands Inter-Community Business Licence is an alternative for mobile/contractor businesses operating across multiple communities.
- Short-term rentals (Airbnb, VRBO) require a licence and compliance with BC provincial short-term rental rules.
- Home-based businesses need a licence and may be subject to zoning conditions, check with Development Services (250-555-0100).
Small Business BC
Small Business BC is a free, non-profit advisory service funded by the Province of BC.
- Free business advisory , 1:1 sessions with advisors for start-ups and operators.
- Online courses on topics including business planning, marketing, finance, and HR.
- Market research reports accessible to members.
- BizPaL tool helps identify all permits and licences your business needs at all three levels of government.
Highlands Business Centre, local lending & support
Highlands Business Centre West Highlands provides business loans, advisory services, and self-employment programs for rural communities, including Silvermere.
- Loans for start-up, expansion, or succession (typical range $5,000 to $150,000+, confirm current limits with Highlands Business Centre West Highlands).
- Self-Employment Program for people transitioning from Employment Insurance to entrepreneurship.
- Youth and women-in-business specific programs.
- futures.bc.ca for the BC-wide network; West Highlands contact on the site.
Wildfire & emergency business continuity
Silvermere's summer wildfire season can mean power outages, evacuation orders, air-quality closures, and supply disruptions. Preparation protects your business and your staff.
FireSmart your premises
- FireSmart BC principles apply to commercial properties too: clear combustibles from the Home Ignition Zone (0 to 1.5 m from the building), ember-proof roof vents, keep gutters clean, maintain defensible space in the yard.
- See the general Emergency Preparedness hub for the full protocol.
Business continuity basics
- Off-site backup of all business records: customer lists, inventory, insurance policies, tax records, supplier contacts. Cloud storage at minimum.
- Emergency contact tree for staff, key suppliers, and customers.
- Payroll plan , know how you'll pay staff during an evacuation or closure, including any wage-subsidy or EI options for staff.
- Insurance review , confirm your business-interruption coverage includes wildfire displacement, not just direct fire damage.
- Evacuation plan for customers and staff in your building; post it visibly.
- Air quality protocols for outdoor and customer-facing work during smoke events, HEPA purifiers, masks, reduced hours when AQHI is 7+.
Sign your business up for Silvermere Alert
Register your business address in Silvermere Alert to receive evacuation orders, boil-water advisories, and utility disruptions the moment they happen. Multiple emails can be added to a single account.
Heads up
When an evacuation order hits
Hiring in Silvermere
- WorkBC Employment Services offers free wage-subsidy programs, employer training initiatives, and job-matching: workbc.ca.
- Canada Summer Jobs subsidizes employers hiring youth 15 to 30 each summer.
- Employment Standards Branch sets minimum wage, overtime, vacation, and termination rules: 1-833-236-3700.
- WorkSafe BC coverage is mandatory for most employers. Register before your first hire: worksafebc.com.
- Highwater College is a source of interns, trade apprentices, and graduating talent.
Grants, loans, and tax credits
- Highlands Community Trust offers non-dilutive funding for Highlands-area businesses, non-profits, and community projects: ourtrust.org.
- BC Ministry of Jobs & Economic Development runs sector-specific programs; see gov.bc.ca, Employment & business.
- Canada.ca Business Benefits Finder lists federal grants and loans you may qualify for: innovation.ised-isde.canada.ca.
- Small Business BC Export Navigator if you're considering selling into the US or other markets.
Bidding on City work
The City of Silvermere posts procurement opportunities on the provincial BC Bid platform. See Bid on a City Tender for the process and minimum requirements (insurance, business licence, WorkSafeBC letter of good standing).
Commercial property & leasing
- Zoning questions: Development Services at 250-555-0100. Bylaw 1428 (Zoning) governs what uses are allowed where.
- Downtown improvement and streetscape initiatives are coordinated by the City and Chamber of Commerce.
- Building permits and renovations require formal application, see Building Permits.
Taking care of yourself
Running a business is lonely work. Stress, burnout, and isolation are occupational hazards. Support is available:
- Small Business BC Mental Wellness resources for entrepreneurs.
- 9-8-8 Suicide Crisis Helpline , 24/7, free, call or text.
- Regional Crisis Line , 24/7 at 1-888-353-2273.
- See the full Mental Health & Crisis Support hub.
Common questions
Do I need a business licence for a home-based business?
Where do I get free business advice?
Can I get a loan from Highlands Business Centre?
What happens if my business has to evacuate for wildfire?
How do I hire my first employee?
Is there a co-working space in Silvermere?
Where do I find grants for my business?
Can I bid on City work?
What about Airbnb or short-term rentals?
Is there help during smoke season?
What to do next
Silvermere Chamber of Commerce
Chamber, Confluence co-working, Destination Silvermere, Economic Development.
Small Business BC
Free advisors, courses, market research.
Highlands Business Centre West Highlands
Local lending and business advisory.
Highlands Community Trust
Regional funding programs.
Business Licence (City)
Apply for your City business licence.
Bid on a City Tender
Procurement process and BC Bid.
Emergency Preparedness
Wildfire and business continuity basics.
Still need help?
Talk to City Hall, Development Services (licences, zoning)
- Phone
- 250-555-0100
- Hours
- Monday to Friday, 8:30am to 4:30pm
- In person
- City Hall, 100 Lakeshore Avenue, Silvermere, BC. Chamber: silvermere.example.
Faster than calling for non-urgent issues. We respond within one business day.
Verified against the Silvermere & District Chamber of Commerce, Small Business BC, Highlands Business Centre BC, Highlands Community Trust, City of Silvermere Development Services, BC Bid, WorkSafe BC, and Government of Canada business resources. Programs and eligibility may change; confirm with each provider.