Small business funding in British Columbia
British Columbia backs projects that bring in customers and cut costs. The B.C. Employer Training Grant reimburses 80% of eligible training costs up to $10,000 per employee. BC Hydro's business incentives cover lighting, refrigeration and HVAC, with a bonus window to February 2027. Municipal facade programs across central and northern B.C. typically cover 50% up to $5,000. BBN Labs helps you find the programs that fit and sends deadline alerts. You apply on the official program site.
Local funding options
British Columbia's small-business support covers three main areas: employer training (the B.C. Employer Training Grant, applied for through the Skills Training Grants System with a Business BCeID), electricity-side energy efficiency (BC Hydro's business incentives, delivered through its Alliance contractor network), and transportation electrification (Go Electric BC's charger and fleet rebates, with utility-territory rules that differ between BC Hydro and FortisBC customers).
Storefront support in B.C. works differently than Ontario's CIPs: in central and northern B.C., Northern Development funds local governments to run their own facade programs. Businesses typically receive 50% up to $5,000 per project, but apply to their municipality, not to Northern Development. Your town has to take part in the program that year.
Tell us your city and what you want to do, and the funding fit check shows which of these programs fits your business.
City rules we checked
- The B.C. Employer Training Grant's 2026/27 intake is open for training starting on or after April 1, 2026. It reimburses 80% of eligible training costs up to $10,000 per employee, with a $300,000 employer cap per fiscal year. source ↗
- BC Hydro's business energy-saving incentives include a 30% bonus on projects submitted between June 3, 2025 and February 11, 2027, delivered via Alliance contractors for lighting, refrigeration and HVAC replacements. source ↗
- Go Electric BC lists workplace-charger rebates of up to 50% per charger in BC Hydro territory and up to 75% for FortisBC customers, available while program funding lasts. source ↗
Notes reflect official sources as checked on September 24, 2026; programs change, so confirm with the administrator.
Programs
Funding programs for British Columbia
Every program shows its official source, what kind of help it is, and when we last checked it.
Student Work Placement Program
Up to $5,000
A federal wage subsidy for employers who hire post-secondary students through the Student Work Placement Program (SWPP).
Checked
Canada Small Business Financing Program
Up to $1,150,000
This program makes it easier to get a business loan by having the government share the lending risk with your bank or credit union.
Checked
British Columbia: Training Tax Credit for Employers
Up to $4,000
This is a refundable provincial income tax credit for British Columbia employers who employ apprentices enrolled in eligible SkilledTradesBC programs.
Checked
Columbia Basin Trust: Impact Investment Fund
The Columbia Basin Trust offers direct commercial loans for growth, succession and construction projects in the Columbia Basin.
Checked
BDC: Business Purchase or Transfer Loan
A BDC loan to help you buy an existing Canadian business. It can fund buying a competitor or supplier, a management or employee buyout, taking over a…
Checked
Apprenticeship Job Creation Tax Credit
Up to $2,000
A federal non-refundable tax credit for employers who hire apprentices in Red Seal trades. It is worth 10% of eligible apprentice wages, up to $2,000…
Checked
Community Futures Network of Canada
Community Futures has 267 non-profit offices across Canada. They provide small business loans, training and local support to entrepreneurs in rural…
Checked
BDC: Purchase Order Financing
Up to 90% of costs
A short-term BDC loan that helps Canadian businesses pay suppliers and production costs so they can fill a confirmed customer order when cash flow is…
Checked
BDC Financing: Certified Green Building Loan
Up to 100% of costs
A BDC loan to buy, build or renovate a business property that you plan to get green certified, for example LEED or Zero Carbon.
Checked
Funding by need
What funding can pay for in British Columbia
Funding for Energy Efficiency
Grants and loans may help pay for lighting, HVAC and refrigeration improvements.
Funding for Training
Grants to help you train staff and adopt new digital tools.
Funding for Export and New Markets
Grants and loans that may help pay for trade shows, research and translation.
Funding for Automation
Loans and grants to help you automate business workflows and tasks.
Funding for Tourism
Grants and loans that may help pay for visitor marketing and online booking.
Funding for E-commerce
Grants and loans to help you launch or improve your online store.
Funding for Websites
Grants and loans to help you build or improve your business website.
Frequently asked questions
Where do I apply for B.C. programs?
On each program's official site, and applying is free. We show which programs fit, what they pay for and when they close.
Is there a facade grant for my town in northern B.C.?
Possibly, through your municipality: Northern Development funds local governments (up to $20,000 per year each) to run facade programs, with businesses typically receiving 50% up to $5,000 covering facades, signage, murals, lighting and awnings. Ask your municipal office whether it takes part this year. If it does, the municipality runs the program and handles your application.
Also see: all verified funding in British Columbia, the full funding list and our guides.