There’s a new face at the helm of Community Futures of the Sunshine Coast.
After four years on the board, Morgan Beall took on the role of executive director in late April. He brings with him a career in community economic development work and a history of providing small business loans over the years. For 15 years, Beall worked with VanCity’s microfinance program, which has parallels to Community Futures.
Community Futures is a federally incorporated non-profit with a volunteer board of directors and a staff of businesspeople that works with a variety of community partners to help people start, expand or sell a business in the area.
The Gibsons resident is particularly passionate about helping to provide “unconventional character-based loans to entrepreneurs” and making the “unbankable bankable.”
As for taking on the role – during a pandemic, no less – Beall said it’s “wildly fascinating” to think of the new ways of doing business to support a community, and added he’s excited to see what that change looks like while offering support. Every business and the challenges it faces are different, he added. Some will need help pivoting, surviving or selling.
“Our local economy is basically dependent on our small business flourishing,” he said. “It’s a vibrant ecosystem right now, and we want to keep it that, but it’s going to take some collaboration and some creative thinking.”
The answer isn’t always money. Help and support can be assessing a business plan and cash flow, or refocusing on a different aspect of the business post-pandemic. Community Futures offers loans, investments, tools and resources, as well as advice.
Since the beginning of the pandemic, Community Futures has helped the Sunshine Coast beyond the regular loans program by administering about $3.5 million from the government’s Regional Relief and Recovery Fund. Beall also credits Community Futures collaborations with like-minded organizations including SCREDO, Rhiza and SCCU.
In the past year, Community Futures of the Sunshine Coast has been involved in its own emergency loan relief program, the Sunshine Coast Business and Economic Recovery Task Force, the business recovery centre and hotline, the online business forum, food response network, as well as workshops and local shopping campaigns.
“When you think about these funds that have gone out there to support businesses during this awkward time, that’s a pretty monumental component. And then there’s lots that’s going to have to come with that administration – it’s not just about getting the money out the door,” Beall said. “It’s about working with those businesses afterwards, to repay it or how to continue on.”
Beall said he and the board were grateful to Janice Iverson, the previous executive director, for her time and service to the community.
