News & Resources
The latest Thompson Okanagan tourism industry news from TOTA, tourism businesses, and communities.
25 Free Virtual Energy Assessments Available to Thompson Okanagan Tourism Businesses
TOTA is offering 25 Virtual Energy Assessments to tourism and/or hospitality businesses within the Thompson Okanagan region at no cost. The process is simple, streamlined, and designed to increase efficiency and reduce operational costs.
TOTA is offering 25 Energy Assessments to tourism and/or hospitality businesses within the Thompson Okanagan region at no cost.
What are the benefits?
Opportunities to reduce your electricity, gas and other energy bills
Access FortisBC and BC Hydro rebates for upgrading your lighting, HVAC and other equipment
Special access to some FortisBC programs exclusively available only through our FortisBC funded Energy Analyst
Understand and improve operational efficiencies of your business
Optimizing energy efficiency is an opportunity to reduce your organization's carbon footprint
The energy assessment process is simple and streamlined:
Book your 10 minute onboarding call with TOTA's Energy Analyst.
Your company will provide utility bills (if required) + a list of your lighting, HVAC and other equipment.
TOTA will analyze your lighting, equipment, and utility bill data to understand your energy usage and provide a report summarizing energy and cost-saving opportunities, plus implementation support if required.
We can also assist you with completing FortisBC and BC Hydro rebate applications.
PST Rebate for Capital Investments Opens to Support Business Recovery
Businesses can grow back bigger and stronger following the pandemic, with up to half-billion dollars in expected rebates available for purchases or leases of select machinery and equipment, including tools, furniture, computers, software and zero-emission vehicles.
(From B.C. Gov News:) Businesses can grow back bigger and stronger following the pandemic, with up to half-billion dollars in expected rebates available for purchases or leases of select machinery and equipment, including tools, furniture, computers, software and zero-emission vehicles.
“This measure is a direct response to what we heard when we consulted with the business community. By providing a rebate on tools and equipment that help businesses grow, we are encouraging investments and helping to reduce the cost of growth for businesses in every sector,” said Selina Robinson, Minister of Finance. “This provincial sales tax (PST) rebate will make it easier for businesses to make the investments that will allow them to grow or adapt and seize the opportunities of a post COVID-19 economy.”
The rebate, announced in September 2020 as part of StrongerBC: BC’s Economic Recovery Plan, allows incorporated businesses to recover 100% of the PST on most machinery and equipment purchased between Sept. 17, 2020 and Sept. 30, 2021.
“Having a 100% PST rebate is a good incentive to make the kind of capital investments that will not just support our members, but help the economy respond, recover and prosper,” said Andrew Wynn-Williams, vice-president, Canadian Manufacturers and Exporters. “These rebates will support both the short-term need for relief and the long-term goal of economic growth.”
Online applications are open. The first window is open until Sept. 20, 2021, followed by a second window after the eligible rebate period (Oct. 1, 2021, to March 31, 2022). Rebate eligibility is based on the Canada Revenue Agency’s Capital Cost Allowance classes.
The rebate is one of the government-provided investments helping businesses recover and respond to the unprecedented economic impact of the pandemic. Other supports include the Small-to-Medium-Sized Business Recovery Grant, an incentive for businesses that hired more employees, grants to launch or upgrade online stores and other tax relief provided in 2020.
Quick Facts:
This funding is part of B.C.’s $10-billion COVID-19 response.
The projected cost for this PST rebate is $470 million.
An estimated 110,000 incorporated B.C. businesses are eligible for the rebate.
The PST savings on a new zero-emission vehicle can be more than $3,000.
Learn More:
To apply for the PST rebate on select machinery and equipment, visit:
https://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/taxes/sales-taxes/pst/rebate-machinery-equipment
For more detail about the Canada Revenue Agency’s Capital Cost Allowance classes, visit:
https://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/taxes/sales-taxes/pst/rebate-machinery-equipment/technical-backgrounder
Read StrongerBC: BC’s Economic Recovery Plan: https://strongerbc.gov.bc.ca/supporting-bc-businesses
TOTA Fast Facts
The Thompson Okanagan Tourism Association presents Fast Facts, a biweekly research roundup to provide an ongoing snapshot of how the tourism industry is being impacted as a result of COVID-19 and an overview of how things are changing through the stages of recovery.
Tourism Research Summary
The Thompson Okanagan Tourism Association is pleased to once again bring you Friday Fast Facts providing an ongoing snapshot of how the tourism industry is being impacted as a result of COVID-19 and an overview of how things are changing as we continue moving through the stages of recovery.
We will continue to gain and share business intelligence and insights which come directly from tourism stakeholders in our region via telephone and online surveys; data from our partnership with Environics Analytics received and analyzed weekly, and additional research has been sourced through the UN World Tourism Organization, Destination Canada, Destination BC, British Columbia Regional Tourism Secretariat, BC Hotel Association, go2HR, Community DMO Partners, and others.
Now more than ever we understand the importance of providing timely data that will assist you in making informed decisions, understanding how industry and consumers are responding, both in the Thompson Okanagan and the province as a whole, and that will assist you in making adjustments to how you do business.
Watch for Friday Fast Fact bi-weekly and for more information please visit Research Roundup on TOTA News Centre.
Thompson Okanagan Tourism Association is proudly supported by the British Columbia Ministry of Tourism Arts and Culture.
- TOTA Research
Biweekly Fast Facts
Online Grant Program Expands to Support More Businesses
In response to a high number of applications, the B.C. government is investing an additional $30 million in the Launch Online Grant program. The Launch Online Grant program provides up to $7,500 to businesses to help build or expand an e-commerce site to reach more customers and to sustain and grow their business.
(From BC Gov News) - In response to a high number of applications, the B.C. government is investing an additional $30 million in the Launch Online Grant program.
The Launch Online Grant program provides up to $7,500 to businesses to help build or expand an e-commerce site to reach more customers and to sustain and grow their business.
An online presence is integral for businesses that want to adapt their operations to better reach customers in their community, throughout B.C. and beyond. These changes will help approximately 4,000 more businesses market their products and services online.
“Many small businesses have had to change the way they operate as more and more people shifted to online purchasing during the pandemic. Our government has been there to help these businesses adapt,” said Premier John Horgan. “By expanding eligibility to our successful launch online program, more B.C. small businesses from the hardest hit sectors will have access to the tools they need to boost their online presence, grow their e-commerce capacity and become more resilient as we build toward a brighter future.”
The new funding is in addition to the February 2021 announcement of $12 million to support 1,500 businesses to enhance or establish their online presence. Currently, over 3,500 businesses from around the province have applied, demonstrating the need for these supports.
Businesses in the hard-hit tourism sector, like tour operators or hotels, and businesses in the service industry, such as massage therapists, personal trainers or hair stylists, can now access the grants to build or improve their online booking systems.
As part of the eligibility enhancements, 30% of the grant funds will now be reserved for Black, Indigenous and people of colour-owned (BIPOC) businesses, as well as rural businesses. This is expanded from the original 25% of grant funds that were reserved for Indigenous and rural businesses.
“The Launch Online Grant program responds to the way the pandemic has changed the business world, and the strong demand shows we are filling an untapped need,” said Ravi Kahlon, Minister of Jobs, Economic Recovery and Innovation. “In addition to expanding the program, we are reserving a portion of the funds for BIPOC businesses because our recovery must be inclusive, taking care to not leave people behind.”
As part of the program, successful applicants will work with local B.C. service providers to complete their online store. Through this model, the grant funding can be reinvested in B.C.-based marketing and technology companies to generate revenues for local companies and help secure and grow jobs.
“The pandemic has impacted so many people throughout B.C., it has also disproportionately impacted people and communities of colour,” said Nerissa Allen, president, Black Business Association of BC. “I am pleased to see funding set aside for the Black, Indigenous and people of colour business community. This change, combined with opening the grant program to service-based businesses, will give business owners and entrepreneurs the opportunity to access funds that will help revive their business.”
The Launch Online Grant program is part of StrongerBC: BC’s Economic Recovery Plan. The plan focuses on a recovery that is innovative, sustainable and inclusive. It outlines the latest steps the Government of British Columbia is taking to help people, businesses and communities come out of COVID-19 stronger, without leaving people behind.
The program is administered by Alacrity Canada. Small and medium-sized businesses can apply online: www.launchonline.ca
Learn More:
For more information on the Launch Online Grant program, including the application process and eligibility, visit: www.launchonline.ca
For more information on StrongerBC, visit: https://strongerbc.gov.bc.ca/
For more information on Alacrity Canada, visit: https://www.alacritycanada.com/
A backgrounder follows.