The City of Coquitlam has launched an initiative to support businesses looking to start or grow in the Lower Mainland.
On January 22, a new business information shop labelled Business LinQ Resource Centre will open at Coquitlam City Hall. Located on the main floor, LinQ will offer businesses a way to connect to resources and help navigate city processes.
LinQ will help with licensing, permitting, zoning, building code, economic development and various other issues.
The centre will be staffed by existing business licensing staff, and the funding to construct and finish the resource centre will come from the city’s economic development reserve fund.
Coquitlam issues about 6,600 business licenses a year. Of those licenses, 20% to 25% issued are for new businesses.
“A lot of people come in and they are unaware of what specific zoning requirements pertain to their business model or they are unaware that if they make alterations to a space they need interior alteration permits from the building department,” said Aaron Hilgerdenaar, business services at City of Coquitlam.
“We want to coordinate processes and services provided by the city. A business licence touches various city groups and we want to make sure that businesses receive coordinated service in a single location.”
Business owners will be permitted to drop in during regular city hall hours for free advice, one-on-one meetings and access to publications and other informative sources.
