Darren Davidson, Kootenay Co-op Radio – CJLY, 93.5fm Nelson BC, Local Journalism Initiative

The Nelson and District Chamber of Commerce has been in the middle of the region’s COVID storm for over 12 months.

There’ve been some critical efforts by chambers throughout BC and Canada — helping business stay afloat, pay their staff, lobby governments to eliminate costs to business, and more than a few times, offer a shoulder to have a good cry on.

Chamber of Commerce boss Tom Thomson stopped by Kootenay Co-op Radio’s current affairs program on March 31 to chat a bit about what the latest lockdown looks like for local business.

He told KCR that according to a recent BC business survey 73% of respondents are using some form of government subsidy.

(Editor’s note: The 73% figure comes from a total of five surveys that BC MindReader.com carried out between April and December, 2020.)

Links of Interest:

• (Business Examiner) COVID-19 Pulse Check Survey Reveals Nearly Three Quarters Of Respondents Continue To Experience Decreased Sales Volumes
• (BCMindReader.com) COVID Impact Survey 2020
• (Gov of BC) Economic supports for businesses
• (Gov of BC) Small and Medium Sized Business Recovery Grant

Top Photo credit: Tom Thomson is the Executive Director of the Nelson and District Chamber of Commerce- courtesy Tom Thompson