THE INFORMER PAGE 4

AUGUST 22, 1990

Centre for Entrepreneurs is Closed

On June 30, the North Shore Enterprise Development Centre
(NSEDC) closed its doors for good. The NSEDC was part of a
network of 17 centres associated with the province’s colleges and
funded by the Ministry of Advanced Education, Training and
Technology. The Ministry discontinued the funding grants for
the centres and the NSEDC could not continue without funding
support.

The Centre was opened in 1986 as a program of Capilano
College and directed by an Advisory Board of North Shore
business people, professionals, and municipal representatives in
response to the recognition that small businesses have become
the major new source of employment and economic activity in
Canada.

The NSEDC assisted hundreds of North Shore
entrepreneurs. The past year had seen an increase in the request
for services due to cutbacks in similar services offered previously
through other federal and provincial government programs.

Susan Bell, the Centre’s manager said, “The closure of the
Enterprise Centre will leave a gap in services for those who are
struggling to get their businesses started and stabilized during the
crucial first three years.”

“We provided a unique one-stop assistance centre offering
counselling, training, referrals, information, and office equipment
use at nominal or no cost. No other agency in the Lower
Mainland provided this package of services. We hope that
alternative sources of funding will be found to continue these
needed services at a cost that fledgling entrepreneurs can afford.
These entrepreneurs are vital to a community as they not only
provide jobs for themselves but for others, too.”

The Enterprise Centre operated through an annual $80,000
grant from the Ministry to Capilano College. Funding primarily
went to cover overhead expenses as the Centre leased premises
off campus to be more accessible to business people.

The NSEDC actively worked with other community
professionals and organizations towards promoting a network of
assistance services for entrepreneurs on the North Shore.
Support for the Centre by the community was evidenced by the
referrals, volunteer hours and gifts in kind donated by clients,
businesses, professionals and agencies who recognized the value
of its services and what it had achieved in a relatively short time
with minimal funding support.

Ongoing NSEDC programs such as the innovative and
unique Customized Applied Training (CAT 90) and Mentorship
programs will continue for the duration of their term through
Capilano College’s Extension Programs.

With the NSEDC no longer available, North Shore
entrepreneurs will have to seek alternatives. Information
services can be obtained through the North Vancouver Chamber
of Commerce (987-4488), the B.C. Enterprise Centre (660-
3900), Reference Canada (666-5555), libraries, educational
institutions, and associations. Counselling services can be
obtained through the Federal Business Development bank’s
CASE counselling program or through professionals. Other
services can be obtained through the private sector. — Susan M.
Bell

NOTES
Waste Not...

Looking for a clean home that doesn’t dirty the world? Clean
Magic is an environmentally-friendly product that cleans
bathrooms (not by itself unfortunately) removes spots from
clothing and takes grease off engines. Do not drink it. Find it at
Canadian Tire. If you prefer making your own grease removers,
vinegar and water cleans windows, ammonia loosens oven grease
(who cleans ovens?), baking soda, vinegar and salt cleans drains.
Write to Pollution Probe, 12 Madison Ave. Toronto, Ont. MSR
2S1 for more clean recipes.

Goals for College Women
in the ’90s:

If you missed this May conference which explored
“Management and Leadership Skills for Women Working in the
College System” find a copy of the conference proceedings in the
library or ask one of Cap’s representatives if you can borrow
theirs. Cap representatives at the conference included: Connie
Gibbs, Laraine Hamilton, Barbara Hankin, Penny LeCouteur,
Carol McQuarrie, Betty Merrall, Janet Morris, Yolande
Westwell-Roper, and Nancy Farley.

North Shore Winter Club
Memberships

Capilano College is now a Corporate Member of The North
Shore Winter Club. This means college employees may join the
club at a vastly reduced rate. The special rate will not continue if
you stop working at the college.

To apply for membership you need a letter from your senior
administrator at the college confirming your employment.

Entrance fees are $300 each if five or more college
employees choose to join before September 1. The price goes up
to $400 each after September 1.

Contact Geoff Holter (local 2991) for more information.

Fall Cleaning

Are you swamped by inter-office envelopes? Send them
down to the mailroom. They like them there.

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