B.C. small businesses making the transition to e-commerce are ringing up another $30 million in support from the province.
Premier John Horgan announced Wednesday the government was expanding the Launch Online Grant program from the original $12 million earmarked last month.
The program initially offered 1,500 grants worth up to $7,500 to eligible businesses but Horgan said the province ended up receiving 3,500 applications. The program is now expected to assist 4,000 businesses.
The additional $30 million will also go towards businesses selling services online — not just goods, as the program originally offered.
“This is very, very good news for our hard-hit tourism sector. This will assist with online bookings, it will allow businesses who do not have a robust online presence to get the help that they need,” Horgan said.
Twenty-five per cent of the program’s funds were reserved for Indigenous and rural businesses when it was unveiled in early February.
That’s being expanded to 30% and will now include businesses owned by people of colour.
“This program is designed to make sure that as we come out of COVID, we've got the technologies in place,” Horgan said.
“That means tourism operators, hairstylist, not-for-profits, and a whole range of groups and companies will be able to access this money and it will help them get back on their feet faster.”
Meanwhile, Horgan said he anticipates the relaxing restrictions resulting from the pandemic as the province ramps up its vaccination campaign.
Vaccinations began for B.C.’s general population on Monday, initially focused on seniors 90 years old and above.
Shots will be rolling out in greater numbers as more deliveries from manufacturers are expected in the coming weeks but Horgan said he didn’t want to offer “false hope.”
“Those that have been vaccinated will have a bit more flexibility of course because they're less risk to the people around them,” he said.
“But I don't want to speculate on any group, I don't want to speculate on — for me — on any activity that may well be available to those that have been vaccinated before it's available to anyone else. These are determinations that [B.C. provincial health officer Dr. Bonnie] Henry comes to with her team at public health.”
