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Mobile business licences in the works

Do business throughout central Vancouver Island, with a one-stop mobile business license program

Local businesses can look forward to setting up shop in Campbell River and being able to do business throughout central Vancouver Island, with a one-stop mobile business license program.

At its August 27 meeting, City Council approved in principal a program that would license businesses to operate across 12 central Vancouver Island jurisdictions. Once in place, the new program will set up businesses applying for a local license to purchase an additional permit that allows them to operate in any of the participating communities.

Central Vancouver Island communities within the partnership region that would be covered by one additional $150 business license include: Campbell River, Comox, Courtenay, Cumberland, Duncan, Ladysmith, Lake Cowichan, Nanaimo, North Cowichan, Parksville, Port Alberni and Qualicum Beach. In British Columbia, a business license is required in the municipality where the business operates. To operate a business across multiple municipalities, a separate license is required for each jurisdiction.  A mobile or inter-municipal business license allows businesses, such as contractors, to operate in multiple municipalities and regional districts. Typically, the multi-jurisdiction approach streamlines the licensing process and reduces the cost for business owners.

“The Campbell River Chamber of Commerce and City staff have been working closely and collaboratively to build a more business-friendly environment, and the concept of an inter-community business license program arose as a key initiative to pursue together,” says Ron Neufeld, the City’s deputy city manager and general manager of operations. “This is an opportunity to support our local business community and another way to market Campbell River as a great place to do business.”