Community Futures Celebrated Small Business Week 2007 in a very big way. Over 250 invitations were sent out to clients who started their businesses or projects through Community Futures Peace Liard.

Best Western Hotel, Dawson Creek

Mayors & Council from across the Northeast attended this event in support of small business in each of their communities. Mayor Calvin Kruk had graciously volunteered to be the Master of Ceremonies for this special event.

Community Futures Peace Liard also recognized the organizations that they worked with over the past couple of years who made an economic impact on their communities in the Northeast. Over 2 million dollars was leveraged through funding by Western Economic Diversification to move these projects further to their goals.

Steve Rison, Peace Energy Coop

Community Futures worked with Peace Energy Coop in accessing funds through Western Economic Diversification for a business plan, which would enable them to move forward with the development of wind energy, marketable to the BC Hydro grid line.

Dr. Charles Helm, Peace Region Museum of Natural History

The Tumbler Ridge Museum Foundation has been working diligently in preserving prehistoric finds in the region and building a world class collection of paleontological discoveries. Community Futures assisted TRMF in accessing funds through Western Economic Diversification & Ministry of Economic Development to build a Research and Collection Center as well as a Dinosaur Gallery in Tumbler Ridge. The next step in this project is to build a Peace Region Museum of Natural History.

Barb Shirley, Chetwynd Women Resource Center

Chetwynd Women Resource Center took a proactive approach when funds for the Women's Resource Center in Chetwynd were discontinued. Community Futures assisted this proactive group in accessing funds through Western Economic Diversification to build the Chetwynd Marketplace. This business venture allows this organization to continue to provide counseling services to women in crisis. This venture also adds to the economic development of Chetwynd through offering kiosks to small business entrepreneurs, a restaurant, gift shop, mini putt and hairdressing services!

April Moi, Northern Rockies Alaska Highway Tourism Association (NRAHTA)

The Alaska Highway Scenic Byway Consultation Process has been working in all the communities who benefit from the tourists who travel the Alaska Highway each summer. This economic driver brings thousands of dollars to the northeast region every year. The Scenic Byway project was a consultation process where workshops were held in each community to identify opportunities and catalog tourist attractions. Community Futures assisted NRAHTA through accessing funds through Western Economic Diversification.