Pink Cross awards flood affected enterprise homeowners funding

The Canadian Pink Cross is providing small enterprise and nonprofit organizations affected by the November 2021 flooding occasion a one-time tax free fee of $5000. This system was initially introduced in July of 2022 with a September 30 deadline, which has now been prolonged to November 30, 2022. The Pink Cross hopes to assist companies in bearing the price of flood restoration, together with misplaced income, insurance coverage deductibles, and non-insurable losses. 

Numerous companies within the Nicola Valley have benefited from the funding, together with Kyle Corridor of Empty Keg Brew Home on Voght Avenue. Corridor co-owns the native brewery with spouse Kelly, with the Brew Home being among the many many companies compelled to shut when your complete Metropolis of Merritt was evacuated as a result of flooding on November 15, 2021. Corridor mentioned he heard concerning the Pink Cross program from one other enterprise proprietor in Merritt.

“I’ve been making an attempt to inform different companies about it, just because there are such a lot of affected by the flooding,” mentioned Corridor, who additionally obtained the profit from the Pink Cross. 

“The applying course of takes lower than 5 minutes, and there’s as much as $5000 in tax free funds accessible. That’ll assist with the lack of income throughout and after the flood. It’s one thing that can assist loads of companies and loads of nonprofits.”

Empty Keg Brew Home is a neighborhood enterprise that benefited from the fee. Photograph/Kyle Corridor

Corridor mentioned he has heard of a handful of different companies making the most of this system, and hopes to encourage others to use earlier than the deadline. Corridor is not any stranger to the Canadian Pink Cross, having donated funds raised on the Empty Keg to them throughout each the flooding occasion and the Lytton wildfire. Whereas most companies within the downtown core had been unaffected by flood waters, the month-long shutdown and gradual restoration interval has value the native financial system vastly. The Canadian Pink Cross hopes to offset a few of the burden with this funding. 

To qualify for the funding, small companies and non-profit organizations should meet the next minimal necessities:

Had been unable to function for 10 consecutive days or extra following the floods and excessive climate occasion OR

Incurred bodily injury to their buildings, tools or stock and that’s not coated by insurance coverage OR

Have skilled challenges working at full (100%) capability as a result of native infrastructure points throughout the group the place they’re primarily based (for instance, however not restricted to potable water availability, highway entry to the enterprise or group).  

Qualifying small companies and nonprofits should even be in an space that was impacted by the floods and excessive climate occasion in British Columbia starting on November 14, 2021, have 50 staff or much less, and have a internet earnings of lower than $350,000. 

“Our expertise has proven that small companies and not-for-profit organizations play a significant position within the long-term restoration of people and communities following an emergency,” mentioned Pat Quealey, vice chairman of BC and Yukon Pink Cross. 

“Due to the assist of our donors, this help will assist these small companies and not-for- revenue organizations impacted by the 2021 flooding and excessive climate occasion, and finally the people and households who depend on their providers.”

For extra data on the Canadian Pink Cross’s assist of small companies and nonprofits, or to use for funding, go to www.redcross.smapply.ca.