The Business Support Program (BSP) is a tailored support program that provides businesses with access to professional supports and funding. It is a three-phase program consisting of:

1) Needs Assessment,

2) Professional Support to create a Development Plan, and

3) Funding to Implement the Development Plan.

Through this program, BREOC is seeking to support the business environment in its contribution to successful economic transition.

The Social Enterprise Support Program (SESP) is a tailored support program that provides social enterprises (societies and not-for-profits) with access to and funding for professional support and implementation dollars. It is a three-phase program consisting of 1) Needs Assessment, 2) Professional Support to create a Development Plan, and 3) Funding to Implement the Development Plan. Recognizing the valuable role our not-for-profits play in providing valuable services to the Region, BREOC has designed this program to ensure our organizations are healthy and vibrant.

Often, businesses close their doors rather than successfully selling or transferring business ownership in some way, due to the many challenges this undertaking requires. The Succession Readiness program has two goals:

1) Support business owners interested in succeeding their business by providing access to a succession professional who will assist them in becoming ready for the sale/transfer, and

2) Support potential buyers of local businesses in navigating the challenges and process of buying and investing in local businesses.

This succession professional will assess the specific needs of the business owner or buyer and refer them to the appropriate support such as a lawyer, accountant, or human resource professional. Access to these supports is supported by BREOC.

The Business Seminar Series is a set of in-person workshops conducted by quality facilitators on a complete range of topics that will help strengthen our Region’s businesses.

They are offered on a regular basis (usually monthly) at the Battle River Innovation Centre. We will be publishing our list of topics soon.

The Thought Exchange is a small business problem-solving initiative dedicated to bringing small business owners together to act as one another’s unofficial ‘Board of Advisors’, with the goal of supporting each other in solving each other’s business problems. It consists of monthly meetings that seek to help small businesses solve their problems, and another set of monthly meetings to conduct a community demonstration program that is driven by the region’s business owners. It is driven and supported by membership fees and corporate sponsorships.

​The private sector development support network within Canada is vast and sophisticated. While BREOC offers many programs, it may not offer the correct service or solution for all business owners. Therefore, the Concierge of Programming service provides a 1-on-1 support and referral service based on your needs with the goal of finding the most appropriate business supports. The BRIC’s staff are here to serve all clients who need help with employment, starting a business, and/or operating their business.