The Village of Keremeos, in conjunction with Similkameen Country recently reviewed responses from local business following the April 29 business walk.
Part of the village’s efforts to help local business include a steady reduction in the ratio between business and residential tax rates since 2004. The ratio now stands at 1.86, down from 2.36 a decade ago.
There has been a tax incentive available for business improvements in Keremeos since 2005, under the revitalization tax exemption program, something many business owners may not be aware of.
Other initiatives and liasons between local government and the business community were also noted in the village’s review. They include:
- Keremeos and electoral areas “G” and “B” have a service agreement to provide secure funding for the infocentre
- a council representative attends all Sim Country meetings.
- a map next to the infocentre locates local businesses that purchased space on the map.
- the Similkameen Valley Planning Society is collection of governments in the Similkameen that recently developed a regional tourism strategy. A communications plan is in the works to connect business with new tools with which to advertise their products and services.
- this year, the SVPS participated in a “Buy fresh - buy local” program that includes maps and social media applications for the whole valley.
The village insists its tendering process, which came under fire from a local merchant earlier this year, is as open as possible so local suppliers and service providers “have every opportunity to make local or out of town contractors aware of the products or services they have to offer. Keremeos also collaborates with the Ministry of Jobs, Skills, Training and Tourism to ensure current information is available to buisness. The review also revealed the fact that only 85 of the 141 businesses registered with the village are members of Similkameen Country.