Plans are afoot to extend the Ignite program for three years and develop it into a self-sustaining incubator for social entrepreneurs on the Sunshine Coast.
Speaking on July 16 to Gibsons council, proponent Chad Hershler said organizers are hoping to build on "the momentum and success of the pilot Ignite program that is going to be wrapped up in the next month or two."
The three-month pilot program has provided training, networking and $500 each in start-up funds to get five social enterprises off the ground, with initiatives ranging from a car co-op (see story page five) and daycare co-op to a hops growing collective and brewery.
Partnering with Community Futures of the Sunshine Coast and Simon Fraser University, proponents are now seeking $60,000 over three years from the Vancouver Foundation, Hershler told council.
Hershler, who is executive director of Deer Crossing the Art Farm and project manager of FUSE Community Work Hub, was appearing before council to request the Town act in the capacity of charitable partner for the funding application.
"Should an administrative fee be necessary, we welcome it if it would soften the burden in some way," he said.
Council agreed to support the request, but Coun. Dan Bouman suggested Hershler's non-profit group apply for charitable status.
"Mostly it's not that onerous, but it puts everything out to public view," Bouman said.
In his letter of request, Hershler said the program would focus on local food in the first year, isolation in the second year and environmental footprint in the third.
"Each year, Ignite staff will invite applicants with innovative ideas for potential social enterprises in each area of interest," he wrote. "Through this process, the program will also support and encourage those enterprises that address economic development interests for the Town of Gibsons specifically and the Sunshine Coast as a whole, including, for example, green business, innovative housing opportunities and marine services."
With four out of five enterprises in the pilot program driven by Gibsons residents, and the Town's economic development committee supporting the initiative, Hershler said the intent of the three-year program is to "shift its base of activity to the Gibsons area whenever and wherever possible."
