Our annual pumpkin carving contest is here. Businesses will receive their pumpkins on Wednesday, October 22nd and the judging will commence on Monday, October 27th.
We encourage you to leave your pumpkin in a window display to ensure the judges and the public see. Last year’s defending champion is the Old Town Bakery.
RULES: you can use paint but majority must be carved.
We encourage businesses to stay open late from 5-8pm on December 5th, 12th, 19th.
On the 12th, we are going to provide Christmas trees to the businesses to come and decorate at the Motus Crossfit Gym, 521 1st Avenue. This will then be open to the public for voting from 5-8pm. Best decorated wins!
And then for the 19th, we are encouraging the businesses to do a “last minute gift sale” that we will promote. We will have musicians downtown for all 3 Fridays.
Please visit the LDBA Facebook page and share the post.
The town is seeking feedback from the businesses regarding single-use plastic. Please go here to fill out the survey and make your voice heard:
April 2023: We met with the Town to discuss the ongoing issue of parking. They are working to increase the budget for bylaw enforcement. Reminder to all business owners to please not park in front of your, or other businesses, as a joint effort to reduce the congestion downtown. We are working on a parking promotion to remind the locals of parking etiquette.
We want to make sure that you and your customers have easy access to and know about free downtown parking options.
We would like to ask that all business people, owners and employees please park in the designated parking lots and not on First Avenue and side streets.
We must ensure that there is available parking adjacent to the businesses where customers are shopping and doing business.
Ease of parking is directly related to customer traffic in our stores and businesses, the more easily a customer finds a parking spot near their intended destination, the more likely they are to patronize that business. And we can always use happier customers and more business!
The following organizations stand against racism and discrimination.
We believe if we continue to work together to foster a more inclusive society that is both humane and welcoming – that our community will benefit as a whole.
It is our wish that this belief would not only apply to our community but the broader world we all.
In light of recent statements by Cowichan leadership regarding racism in the Cowichan Valley, Downtown Duncan worked with Cowichan Tribes to create a poster that welcomes customers and clients in Hul’q’umi’num. Businesses across the Cowichan region are welcome to post the sign as a show of solidarity.
Mukw’ tst ‘o’ slhilhukw, ‘u tu COVID-19 lhxeen
(We’re all in this together)Thanks / hay ch q’a!
Funding for online shops announced yesterday.
The B.C. government has partnered with Alacrity Canada to support small and medium-sized businesses, including regional and indigenous businesses through the new Launch Online Grant Program. The COVID-19 pandemic has shifted how businesses operate, increasing their reliance on online marketing and e-commerce to reach their customers. As the demand for accessing products and services online grows, businesses need the ability to develop, maintain and market an online store to remain competitive and grow.
The Launch Online Grant Program supports businesses by providing up to $7,500 to build or enhance an online shop that will help them retain and attract customers and provide a new source of ongoing revenue. With this funding, B.C. businesses will have the opportunity to grow their businesses in domestic and international markets through digital channels.
See News Release from earlier today for information »
Encourage your local business networks to learn more about this one-time funding opportunity. Applications intake is now open and businesses can submit at https://launchonline.ca/.
Attached social media messages and images, should you wish to promote the program through your social channels as well.
Thanks!
Best,
Cheryl McLay
Regional Manager Vancouver Island/Coast
Regional Economic Operations- Rural Development Unit
Ministry of Forests, Lands, Natural Resource Operations and Rural Development
2080 Labieux Road Nanaimo
Phone 250.739.8223
Cell 250.713.5261
Cheryl.McLay@gov.bc.ca
