Venture Connect

Venture Connect is a Community-Futures subsidiary that provides business price validations, sale mediation, business search assistance, and more.

• View listings

Un-listed opportunities may be discovered by reaching out to Community Futures. These include businesses where the owner(s) may be planning to retire or move on, but has not officially listed the business as for sale.

The perks of buying (versus starting) a business:
-Earn revenue from Day One
-Product/service already tried, tested, and in place
-Equipment, furniture and inventory already in place
-Staffing already in place
-No startup pains
-Keep what you like, change what you don't

Alberni Valley Employment Centre

The Alberni Valley Employment Centre provides resources for employers to find job seekers, as well as wage subsidy, self-employment services, and customized job placement services.

City of Port Alberni

• Business License Application (PDF)
• Business Startup Guide

Community Futures

Community Futures is a non-profit organization with a mandate for small business and community economic development. They provide a variety of different support services to people wanting to start, expand, franchise or sell a business in Port Alberni and west coast communities. They offer financing alternatives to small and medium enterprises when access to credit can be a challenge to starting or growing their business.

Nuu-chah-nulth Economic Development Corporation

Nuu-chah-nulth Economic Development Corporation helps indigenous people start and acquire businesses, with services offered to all indigenous people within the Nuu-chah-nulth territory — free of charge. Some programs are offered throughout Vancouver Island. 

Alberni Valley Employment Centre

The Alberni Valley Employment Centre provides free assistance and support to job-seekers in the Alberni-Clayoquot region. Their Resource Centres are fully staffed and equipped with resource such as current employment opportunities, labour market information, and the use of office equipment. Wage subsidy, self-employment services, and customized job placement services available.

Community Futures

Community Futures offers free expert business advising from subject-matter experts in broad spectrum of industries. Subjects include business finance, marketing and promotion, human resources, business planning, succession planning and more. The organization can also faciloitate connections between other service providers. Their service are available to entrepreneurs in the Alberni-Clayoquot region.

Nuu-chah-nulth Economic Development Corporation

Nuu-chah-nulth Economic Development Corporation helps indigenous people start, acquire and expand businesses, with services offered to all indigenous people within the Nuu-chah-nulth territory — free of charge. Some programs are offered throughout Vancouver Island. 

Export Navigator

Get connected with an export advisor, free of charge. Together you will create a realistic growth plan to export your product, reach new markets and reach your business goals. 

Nuu-chah-nulth Economic Development Corporation
Promotes and assists in the development and establishment of new and existing business enterprises on Vancouver Island. Services are offered free of charge to all Aboriginal people within the Nuu-chah-nulth territory. Financial assistance available.

Bank of Montreal

Business Development Bank of Canada

Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce

Coastal Community Credit Union

Community Futures Alberni-Clayoquot 

Nuu-chah-nulth Economic Development Corproation

Royal Bank of Canada

Scotiabank

Toronto Dominion Bank

Alberni Valley Chamber of Commerce

The Alberni Valley Chamber of Commerce is a local advocate for the business community and provides workshops, networking opportunities and business events.

Alberni Valley Employment Centre

The Alberni Valley Employment Centre provides free assistance and support to job-seekers in the Alberni-Clayoquot region. Their Resource Centres are fully staffed and equipped with resource such as current employment opportunities, labour market information, and the use of office equipment. Wage subsidy, self-employment services, and customized job placement services available.

North Island College

North Island College offers programs, individual courses, continuing education, business classes, first aid training, trades certification and more. Education opportunities available for owners and employees.

Nuu-chah-nulth Economic Development Corporation

Nuu-chah-nulth Economic Development Corporation helps indigenous people start, acquire and expand businesses, with services offered to all indigenous people within the Nuu-chah-nulth territory — free of charge. Some programs are offered throughout Vancouver Island.