- 12 hours ago
- 1 min read
THE POWER OF THE NORTH - Where Collaboration Becomes Momentum
Tuesday, May 26, 2026
in Fraser Lake, BC
About the Forum
The Regional District of Bulkley Nechako, in partnership with the Village of Fraser Lake, is hosting the 2026 Regional Business Forum in Fraser Lake, British Columbia. The forum brings together business owners, industry leaders, economic development professionals, First Nations organizations, educators, and elected officials from across the region to connect, share ideas, and build relationships that support a strong regional economy. The event celebrates the businesses, industries, and innovations that have contributed to regional success while focusing on creating a sustainable and vibrant future for the region.
Forum Goals
• Strengthen collaboration across sectors and communities
• Share knowledge, insights, and regional success stories
• Support long term economic growth and diversification
• Encourage partnerships that help move ideas into action
Who Should Attend
Local businesses and entrepreneurs, economic development professionals, municipal and regional leaders, industry representatives, community organizations, and anyone interested in regional economic growth.
Date and Location
• Tuesday, May 26, 2026
• Fraser Lake, British Columbia
• Start time approximately 9:00am
Registration Pricing
• Early bird registration is $100 and available until March 31, 2026.
• Regular registration is $125 after March 31, 2026.
What Is Included
• Full day access to keynote speakers and panel sessions
• Meals and refreshments provided throughout the day
• ‘Meet and Eat’ evening networking reception
- Aug 19, 2025
- 0 min read
- May 8, 2024
- 2 min read
April 29, 2024 - Invested in BC’s North press release – for immediate release
Nine Community Futures offices in northern BC are co-launching a new campaign that highlights the challenges and beauty of small business entrepreneurship in the northern reaches of the province.
Invested in BC’s North celebrates the positive impact that Community Futures has on local entrepreneurs and communities as far north as the Yukon border, all the way to South Cariboo. The campaign is running until December 2024 and demonstrates the resilience and creativity of northern business owners in adapting to new economic, environmental, and social challenges in the places they call home.
Rural entrepreneurs generally have a harder time accessing finance, business services and basic infrastructure, making it more challenging to operate and sustain successful businesses. In addition, they are more vulnerable to regional economic, environmental, and social challenges, such as mill closures and devastating wildfires and floods.
“Community Futures has decades of experience in supporting entrepreneurs from their business startup to succession planning. We’re small, agile, and local. Our team knows what it’s like to live and do business in the north. We give people the tools, resources, mentorship, and financial support that are right for their business’ unique situation and needs”. – Ais Sheridan, Community Futures, Nadina
Businesses that have received support from a Community Futures office, have a proven head start in achieving higher business longevity, sales and employment rates than businesses who were not assisted by Community Futures. And in turn, those businesses pave the way for regional growth, diversified economies and job creation.
In 2022-2023 alone, the nine Community Futures offices in northern BC loaned $7.4 million, provided close to 4,500 business advisory services and supported more than 120 community projects in their respective regions.
For more information about the Invested in BC’s North campaign and the stories of northern BC entrepreneurs, please visit: www.InvestedInBCsNorth.ca
About Community Futures
Community Futures is the only organization throughout rural BC with a mandate for small business and community economic development. Their experts offer local assistance with business planning, loans, business support services and self-employment, from 34 offices in rural BC.
The Community Futures offices in northern BC serve the following regions:
Haida Gwaii (Daajing Gids & Masset), Peace Liard (Dawson Creek), Nadina (Houston), Fraser Fort George (Prince George), Pacific Northwest (Prince Rupert), North Cariboo (Quesnel), 16/37 (Terrace), Stuart Nechako (Vanderhoof) and Cariboo-Chilcotin (Williams Lake).