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Small Business Recovery (SBR) Consulting Rebate
Last Update: March 3, 2026
British Columbia, Canada
Consulting cost rebate supporting small and medium business recovery
Grant and Funding
Overview
The Small Business Recovery Consulting Rebate provides up to 85% of eligible costs to a maximum of $30,000 per year to help small and medium-sized businesses in Northern Development’s region access third-party consulting services. Funding supports activities such as business and strategic planning, business continuity and emergency response planning, market and e-commerce development, business coaching, HR management, operational efficiency improvements, financial and inventory management, and marketing, branding and web development.
At a glance
Funding available
Financing goals
- Integrate new technologies
- Improve employee retention
- Develop an online presence
Eligible Funding
- Maximum amount : 30,000 $
- Up to 85% of project cost
Timeline
- Open continuously
Eligible candidates
Eligible Industries
- Agriculture, forestry, fishing and hunting
- Mining, quarrying, and oil and gas extraction
- Manufacturing
- Retail trade
- Transportation and warehousing
- Accommodation and food services
- Other services (except public administration)
Location
- British Columbia
Legal structures
- For-profit business
- Sole proprietorship
- Social economy enterprise
Annual revenue
- From $ 30,000 to $ 100,000,000 in revenue
Organisation size
- 500 employees maximum
Audience
- Indigenous Peoples
- Rural or Northern Residents
Activities funded
- Business planning and strategic planning projects to sustain or grow the business.
- Business continuity and emergency response planning to prepare for and manage disruptions.
- Market development and e-commerce development initiatives to reach new or existing customers.
- Operational efficiency and process improvement projects, including transitions to digital platforms.
- Marketing, branding and web development projects to strengthen market presence.
Examples of admissible projects:
$ 12,750
Conduct market development research for new product line
$ 21,250
Implement human resource management system to improve operational efficiency
$ 17,000
Develop a strategic business continuity plan for emergency situations
$ 25,500
Develop a comprehensive e-commerce website to expand market reach
$ 23,800
Develop a strategic marketing plan to enhance brand presence
$ 19,550
Implement an internal quality and safety management system
Eligibility
- The applicant must be a small or medium-sized business, privately owned, with fewer than 500 employees and annual revenues under $100 million.
- The business must be located or headquartered within the Northern Development Initiative Trust region in central and northern British Columbia.
- The business must be incorporated or a sole proprietorship that has been established for at least two years with more than $30,000 in annual revenues.
- The business must be currently operating and generating revenue, and have been impacted by an economic downturn or similar adverse conditions.
- The project must involve contracted third-party consulting services focused on sustaining operations and restoring business health and profitability to pre-event levels (e.g., planning, market development, operations, HR, financial management, marketing).
Who is eligible?
Small and Medium Sized Businesses located or headquartered within the Northern Development Initiative Trust (NDIT) region are eligible to apply for the Small Business Recovery (SBR) Consulting Rebate program. Applicants must meet specific business characteristics and industry requirements:- The business must be impacted by the economic downturn.- It should be either an incorporated business or a sole proprietorship established for at least two years, with more than $30,000 in annual revenues.- The business must be privately owned with less than 500 employees and revenues less than $100 million.Eligible businesses and organizations include First Nations businesses in eligible industries, First Nations development corporations, and community contribution companies.The program targets a range of industries, including but not limited to:- Accommodation- Agriculture- Aquaculture- Energy- Forestry- High Tech- Hospitality- Industrial Supply Chain- Manufacturing- Mining- Oil and Gas- Retail- Retail Services- Tourism Operators- TransportationWho is not eligible
There are types of companies that are not eligible for this grant. Businesses that do not meet the program's criteria such as revenue thresholds, employee limits, or industry restrictions are not eligible.
- Businesses with revenues exceeding $100 million
- Businesses with more than 500 employees
- Non-operating businesses
- Non-privately owned businesses
Eligible expenses
- Fees for third-party consulting services aimed at sustaining business operations.
- Consulting costs to help recover business health and profitability to pre-event levels.
Eligible geographic areas
- Businesses located or headquartered within the Northern Development Initiative Trust (NDIT) region in central and northern British Columbia.
Selection criteria
The Small Business Recovery Consulting Rebate program has evaluation and selection criteria. Qualified businesses must be located in the Northern Development Initiative Trust region, be impacted by economic downturns, meet specific revenue thresholds, and fall within eligible industries.
- Applicants must be located in the Northern Development Initiative Trust region.
- Businesses must be impacted by economic downturns.
- Revenue thresholds and industry eligibility criteria must be met.
- Projects must focus on sustaining business operations and recovering business health.
How to apply
1
Review Program Guidelines
- Carefully read the program guidelines to ensure your business and project meet eligibility criteria.
- Consider the type of consulting project that aligns with the fund's objectives.
2
Project Proposal Discussion
- Contact Northern Development staff to discuss your proposed project.
- Confirm the project’s eligibility for funding.
3
Request Application Form
Email Northern Development staff at info@northerndevelopment.bc.ca to request an application form.
4
Application Preparation
- Download the application guide from the provided resources.
- Ensure all required information and supporting documents are prepared before completing the application.
5
Complete Application Form
- Fill out the application form with detailed information about your business and the consulting project.
- Save the completed application form on your computer desktop.
6
Submit Application
Email the completed application form and any additional required materials to Northern Development staff.
Additional information
- The intake for this program is currently closed and applications are not being accepted at this time.
- The program is administered by Northern Development Initiative Trust, which manages this and other regional funding programs.
- An application guide and a reporting form are provided as program materials and must be downloaded and saved locally before being filled in.
- Applicants are encouraged to contact Northern Development staff to discuss projects, including potential categories not explicitly listed in the program description.
Contacts
info@northerndevelopment.bc.ca
