City takes strides with Business Walks Program

VERNON – Steps are being taken to strengthen the relationship between the city and business sector. 

To mark the start of Small Business Month this October, the City of Vernon will be participating in the Business Walks Program, where civic leaders and support services, like the Downtown Vernon Association, check in on businesses.

"The program is meant as a 5-10 minute check-in with businesses to gain a pulse of how things are doing and how agencies can better support their needs," manager of economic development Kevin Poole says.

Volunteer walkers spend about three hours going door to door, conducting informal feedback sessions.

"The questions are meant to keep the visit very conversational," Poole says.

Despite making business expansion a priority, Poole says "there are still comments that Vernon is not seen as business friendly." The point of the Business Walks Program is to increase awareness about existing support services, involve businesses in long-term action plans, and gain an understanding of the economic climate.

To contact the reporter for this story, email Charlotte Helston at chelston@infotelnews.ca, call (250)309-5230 or tweet @charhelston.