Spring 2023 Business News Update

New Grants help local businesses thrive

Central Saanich believes in fostering a robust and vibrant community, including a strong local economy that encourages and supports businesses of all varieties and sizes.

EV Charger Grant
Central Saanich's new Business Electric Vehicle (EV) Charger Grant helps businesses install EV chargers for public use. Participants are encouraged to combine this grant with other rebates that may be available. Participating businesses may also choose to charge drivers for the time they spend hooked up to the charger.

To learn more about EV chargers, whether your site is suitable and how to seek pre-approval for grant eligibility, visit CSaanich.ca/EVchargergrant

Commercial Frontage Program
Are you a business owner that wants to beautify your storefront and help elevate our streetscapes? The Commercial Frontage Program provides grant funding to improve building frontages. Learn more and apply at CSaanich.ca/Frontage-Program

Business Bike Rack program
We are making it easy for you to ensure bike parking is an option for your customers and visitors.

The District has a limited stock of public bike racks available to eligible businesses and organizations at no cost. Not only that, but municipal staff will take care of installation if on public property! A business/organization also has the option to request a rack for installation in a suitable location on private property, as long as the rack is available publicly; in this case, installation and maintenance of the rack would be the responsibility of the property owner.

Food Hub
Council received the Food Hub Feasibility study and gave direction for staff to continue to work on the project in 2023 to explore possible locations and models, which includes engaging other municipalities. The study is available at letstalkcentralsaanich.ca/food-hub-study.

Electric Vehicles
Save up to $8,000 on a new zero-emission vehicle with the Federal Government’s ZEV program. In addition, the Federal Budget 2019 proposed a 100-per-cent tax write-off for zero-emission vehicles business purchases, offering a deductible up to a limit of $55,000 plus sales tax for eligible vehicles.
Receive up to $3,000 in rebates on a new electric vehicle through British Columbia’s Point of Sale Incentive Program or increase impact by accessing fleet incentives.

E-bike rebates for businesses
Business owners in B.C. can get up to $1,700 when they buy a cargo e-bike. Cargo e-bikes can cut delivery costs and reduce truck traffic in our communities.
The rebate covers one-third the cost of a cargo e-bike. Apply for a cargo e-bike rebate now or learn more (Specialty-Use Vehicle Program)

More ways to do business in Central Saanich

eApply and eInspections
More online services are being made available making it easier to apply online for Plumbing Permits and Tree Removal applications. By summer, Building Permits and Planning applications. Building inspection requests coming soon, too! Check out CSaanich.ca/permits for our currently available online applications.

Development Tracker
Wondering what a proposed development will look like in your community? Curious about a Council meeting date for a specific development? Watch our website for upcoming changes to the Development Tracker at CSaanich.ca/rezoning

Other agency supports

Apply for a Buy BC Logo Licence
Do you produce or process local food or beverage products in B.C.? Are you looking for opportunities to increase your sales within the local market?

The Buy BC logo is a certification mark, a strong marketing tool and an effective way to communicate to consumers that your product is local.

It provides a trusted symbol for consumers to look for and identify B.C. products. There is no cost for B.C. producers and processors to add the Buy BC logo to packaging and marketing materials. Apply now: https://buybc.gov.bc.ca/