Coquitlam launched an online portal and survey for its businesses today – the City’s latest effort to provide them with tools and support during the pandemic and beyond.
COQUITLAM, B.C., May 7, 2020 – Coquitlam launched an online portal and survey for its businesses today – the City’s latest effort to provide them with tools and support during the pandemic and beyond.
Accessed through letstalkcoquitlam.ca/business, the Business Support Portal is a dynamic and comprehensive source of information and resources, while the survey is part of the City’s outreach efforts and will collect input for the development of targeted future supports. Both initiatives stem from Coquitlam’s new COVID-19 Community Support and Recovery Plan.
Portal Offers Information and Resources
Content on the portal will be updated regularly and curated to meet the needs of businesses. It includes:
- News and updates of interest to the business community;
- A Q&A forum to ask questions and see answers posted;
- Links to provide input and to sign up for email updates;
- Business resources available from the City and other organizations and governments;
- A calendar with information sessions, webinars and other relevant events;
- A social media newsfeed with success stories, opportunities and resources; and
- Contact information for Coquitlam’s Economic Development team.
Gathering Input for Targeted Support
The City is conducting an initial telephone and online survey until May 22, 2020 to assess the current business environment. Staff will be contacting Coquitlam business licence holders by phone to discuss their situation and pressing issues and needs.
Businesses who are not contacted directly, or would prefer to respond to the survey online, are encouraged to provide input through the questionnaire posted on the new business portal. The City plans to use the preliminary information collected through its outreach efforts to develop targeted tools and identify further resources, as well as inform advocacy efforts to support local economic recovery. All individual responses will be kept confidential.
A Broad Cross-Sector Plan for the Community
Introduced in early May with an initial $5-million allocation, the Community Support and Recovery Plan (CSRP) provides both immediate relief for taxpayers and a community recovery fund intended to address the pandemic’s short-term and long-term financial impact on all sectors of the community, including local businesses.
Initial CSRP measures include deferring the property tax deadline to Sept. 30 and seeking federal and provincial stimulus funds for City capital projects, many of which employ local businesses and residents.
Specific recommendations for future initiatives are to be presented to Council in the coming months.
Building on Earlier Efforts
Coquitlam has been supporting the local business community since the first impacts of the pandemic were felt in March. Actions to date have included:
- Implementing alternate methods of providing services to businesses and developers, including the use of online tools;
- Connecting with local businesses to help troubleshoot problems and provide information about provincial and federal financial resources;
- Encouraging residents to support local businesses, including promoting the #SupportLocal campaign led by the Tri-Cities Chamber of Commerce and establishing a page on www.visitcoquitlam.ca to list Coquitlam restaurants that offer takeout and delivery.
Over the coming weeks and months, Coquitlam staff will continue to work with other levels of government, as well as business support organizations and other industry stakeholders, to help identify and inform the City’s next steps.
Be Informed
For up-to-date information regarding the COVID-19 impacts to City facilities, programs, services and events:
Coquitlam residents and businesses are also encouraged to follow the City of Coquitlam on social media (Facebook and Twitter) and download the CoquitlamConnect mobile app for up-to-date City information.
Media contact
Kathleen Vincent
Manager, Corporate Communications
City of Coquitlam
604-218-1319