The Lytton Business Restart Program provides contribution funding to support the restart and revitalization of local business in Lytton, B.C.
A vibrant business community is vital to the recovery of Lytton, B.C. Businesses provide jobs, create places to gather, bring in visitors, and are a big part of what draws people to a community.
Today, the Honourable Harjit S. Sajjan, Minister of Emergency Preparedness and Minister responsible for the Pacific Economic Development Agency of Canada (PacifiCan), announced that the Lytton Business Restart Program is open for applications. Through this $7.2 million program, PacifiCan will provide funding to eligible small businesses who will operate in the community of Lytton.
Since the devastating Lytton Creek Wildfire in 2021, complex land recovery efforts have taken place, and the community is now ready to focus on rebuilding. Last year, the Government of Canada launched a program to help Lytton homeowners rebuild more fire-resilient and climate friendly homes. Now, the Government of Canada is here to support the restart of Lytton's business community.
The Lytton Business Restart Program will help Lytton build back its economic core. Returning and new businesses can apply for support through the program, which has two funding streams tailored to the community's needs. The Rapid Restart stream provides up to $20,000 in non-repayable contributions for returning businesses that require a small amount of funding to restart operations. The Small Business Recovery stream provides larger amounts of funding up to $1 million as repayable contributions, with some consideration for non-repayable contributions for businesses that have been identified as critical to Lytton's rebuild and longer-term economic vitality.
In response to local needs, the Lytton Business Restart Program is open to small businesses that plan to operate in the Village of Lytton and within 15 kilometers of the Village, including on reserve. Throughout the intake period, PacifiCan will actively seek proposals, including from Indigenous businesses, as well as those operated by women, youth, and other underrepresented groups. PacifiCan is also working in partnership with the local Community Futures, which will help potential applicants with business planning.
PacifiCan is one partner supporting Lytton's recovery, alongside the Province of British Columbia, other federal departments, the Village of Lytton, the Thompson-Nicola Regional District, Indigenous communities, and leadership in the region.
