Business Incentive Programs

Local businesses are the heart and soul of our communities. They also have big economic impacts, by creating jobs, circulating profits, buying local products/services and supporting local causes.

But what is a local business anyway? How do we define it and why does it matter? In an increasingly competitive market, consumers and businesses understand the value of supporting businesses that benefit their communities. 

The new "Keep It Local Kitimat" campaign aims to support local businesses by providing marketing, research opportunities and resources. This new 5-year campaign is replacing all the other buy local campaigns before it - Love Kitimat, Live Love Local, Focus Local, etc. All businesses are welcome, whether yours is home-based, brick-and-mortar, service-based, or a local franchise! 

If you would like to be added to an email list regarding upcoming "Keep it Local" events please share your request and contact information with us here.

Business Facade Improvement Program

UPDATE - The Business Facade Improvement Program for 2024 has been fully subscribed. Thank you to our business community for their work beautifying the look of their business.

 Entrepalooza

Entrepalooza is an event organised to provide startups and aspiring entrepreneurs a chance to network with other entrepreneurs and resource providers. This year the event will be held on Thursday October 17th at the Hirsch Creek Golf and Winter Club.

At the end of the evening, one lucky entrepreneur will go home with $1,000 towards their start-up costs.

You know best what your business needs, so we offer the $1,000 as a reimbursable prize. You might use it for:

• Paying for a business license
• Buying inventory
• Paying website hosting fees or merchant fees on a credit card reader
• Advertising or marketing costs
• Much more…

Registration is free and can be completed through the Kitimat Chamber of Commerce website prior to the event or 

Register Here 

Event proudly sponsored by LNG Canada

The District of Kitimat and the Kitimat Chamber of Commerce hosted another exciting series of free workshops during June 2024, called the "Kitimat Business Bootcamp".

Leaders of Kitimat’s small and medium-sized businesses attend and learn about topics most affecting business ownership as identified during the 2023 Annual Business Walk.  While registration is recommended, walk-in's are also invited.  Sessions took place at The Chalet Restaurant. 

Registration page: 

This year’s topics included:

Participating in 3 of 4 workshops makes you eligible to take the next step to the Kitimat Business Builders Competition. Presenting to a panel of special-guest judges, local business leaders can pitch their ideas for up to $10,000 in business enhancement grants.  This event will be held at the Hirsch Creek Golf and Winter Club on Wednesday evening July 10th 2024.

We are proud to share the 2024 winners:

• Reltek Industries ($5,000)
• Foxhound Non-Destructive Testing ($3,000)
• Matthew Mask Productions ($2,000)

This program is sponsored by LNG Canada and Rio Tinto.

NEW as of October 2022! - Read more about the Commercial Centre Revitalization Tax Exemption Program.

The Commercial Centre Revitalization Tax Exemption will provide eligible business owners with a 50 per cent reduction in their municipal property taxes, potentially up to 10 years, for improvements made to their buildings, including for work to their business’ exterior.

Improvements to the building must be at least $50,000, with at least $25,000 applied to the building’s exterior. Successful applications will see a five-year reduction in their municipal property taxes.

EXTRA | Eligible applicants could also see their reduced municipal property taxes extended up to an additional five years, through energy efficient improvements to their buildings. These could include:

• A project certified as being compliant with Step 4 of the B.C. Energy Step Code
• New siding with enhanced thermal resistance. (See guidelines for further details)
• New windows with a U-Factor of .32 or less
• Other improvements are also considered. Refer to Page 4 of the guidelines for more details on all of these items

View the program guidelines here to find out the full eligibility requirements, and find all the required documentation and forms for an application.

This program is receiving applications for expenses from October 26, 2022. Applications to this program will close on September 30^th 2026.

To support food and liquor serving premises in Kitimat, businesses can now apply for a free permit for 2024 to set up a temporary patio on public lands. More information on the program is available here. 

Ready to apply? Please fill out the application and provide the requested documents and drop off to City Hall front desk or email the information to the Planning Department Monday to Friday 8:30 am - 4:30 pm, closed for statutory holidays.

The Love Kitimat program will be closing down at the end of 2024 and instead become the "Keep it Local Kitimat" program.

Love Kitimat was originally launched in 2015 and established for independent, non-franchise Kitimat business selling retail goods and services.  It provided:

• A web presence to help promote your business
• Eligibility to accept Love Bucks from your customers
• Eligibility to participate for free in annual Plaid Friday and Focus Local events
• Notification of webinars and info sessions to help grow your business

Love Bucks

• Love Bucks are similar to gift certificates.  As of 2024 Love Bucks are no longer being sold.

• However some Love bucks are still in circulation as there is no expiry.  They can still be spent at Love Kitimat business listed on the Love Kitimat website.  No credit can be carried over (one time use).
• Love Kitimat businesses redeem these for their cash value at the District of Kitimat Main Office during regular business hours.

Love Kitimat is part of Love Northern BC, a marketing program managed by Northern Development Initiative Trust out of Prince George and will run until the end of 2024.