For Immediate Release
June 17, 2024
#2024-05
The Smithers Business Walk Program is an annual event to better understand the business climate in Smithers, share business support resources and strengthen communications between the Town of Smithers and the local business community. Town of Smithers Council, staff and business support organizations will visit local businesses to speak with owners about challenges and opportunities for growth. Businesses across various industries will be visited during the Business Walk to ensure the program reflects the diversity of business in Smithers.
Businesses are encouraged to have the owner, or a manager present on June 27th to speak with Business Walk participants and respond to the survey. The survey will be available online from June 24 – July 10, 2024, for home-based businesses and any other businesses unavailable on June 27th.
Mayor Gladys Atrill provided the following comments: “I am pleased to share that the Town of Smithers is once again hosting the Smithers Business Walk. This event provides the opportunity for Council to hear directly from local business owners to better understand the challenges and opportunities for growth in Smithers. We look forward to visiting your business and speaking directly with you about how we can support our local economy together.”
The 2024 Smithers Business Walk Program is supported by Coast Mountain College. Students and faculty have been working with Town staff to incorporate the Business Walk into their course content and final projects to align with the place-based learning objectives.
All information collected during the Business Walk will be kept confidential, with the final report including only aggregate data. Follow-up information and further engagement with business owners may be provided after the Business Walk where required. Information gathered during the Business Walk will help inform Town bylaw and policy reviews, grant opportunities, and new business support initiatives.
Business owners interested in learning more about the Business Walk Program are encouraged to contact the Town of Smithers Economic Development Officer.
Results from the previous Smithers Business Walk are available on the Town’s website at www.smithers.ca/business-development/economic-development/business-walk-program. A 2024 Business Walk Report will be available in Fall 2024.
View the pdf press release here.
For Further Information Contact:
Jill Barrowman, Economic Development Officer
Phone: 250-847-1600
Email: ecdev@smithers.ca
