Celebrating Small Business Week in Armstrong and Spallumcheen

To everyone who runs a small business in Armstrong and Spallumcheen: thank you. Thank you for the work you do, the people you employ, and the care you put into serving this community.

Small Business Week runs from October 19 to 25, 2026. Organized by the Business Development Bank of Canada (BDC), this national celebration has recognized Canadian entrepreneurs since 1979.

Here at home, it is a chance to recognize the people behind our shops, farms, restaurants, trades, and local services. Running a business means serving customers, managing bills, and making hard decisions. Much of that work happens after the doors close.

Adapting to change

This year, BDC is focusing on the pace of change facing small businesses. Artificial intelligence and new technology are changing how businesses work and compete. Owners face pressure to save time and manage costs as they decide where to invest.

For a small business owner, learning a new system takes time away from other work. Small Business Week offers a chance to learn from others facing those same choices.

The BC Chamber of Commerce is hosting free virtual sessions from October 19 to 23. Topics include the 2027 economic outlook, reaching customers beyond Canada, and trade between B.C. and Alberta. Visit the BC Chamber website for session details and registration.

Support a business close to home

This week, choose a local business for something you need. Buy from a local grower. Visit a shop you have been meaning to try, or book a service with a local provider.

You can also share a good experience. Leave an honest review or recommend a business to someone who needs it. When you buy from a small business, pay on time. Each of these actions gives the owner something useful: a sale, a referral, or one less unpaid bill.

At the Armstrong Spallumcheen Chamber of Commerce, we are proud to celebrate our local business community. To our members and small business owners across Armstrong and Spallumcheen, thank you for choosing to build your businesses here.