Community businesses, organizations come together to launch #SupportPG online hub

It's what Prince Georgians do during tough times: support each other.

Now, there's a new initiative to once again prove how united the community is while in the middle of the COVID-19 outbreak.

Support PG is a collaboration of partners representing a cross-section of local agencies with direct stakes that support Prince George's economy.

The group has launched a website in hopes of giving businesses access to all resource supports to help through one of the most unprecedented pandemics in a lifetime.

"During these unprecedented times it is essential to work together to rally for our local businesses, associations and groups with a plan for response, resiliency and for eventual recovery," Tourism Prince George CEO Tracey McBride says.

"Prince George is known for rallying around their city and demonstrating their pride and compassion for each other during great events and especially during tough times. I have no doubt that when we work together we can emerge stronger, more resilient with creative solutions and bold new ideas. Our team is focused and engaged to ensure that we are successful for the long term, regardless of what changes may occur."

The following agencies teamed up to start #SupportPG:

Prince George Chamber of Commerce
City of Prince George
Tourism Prince George
Downtown Prince George
Community Futures Fraser-Fort George
Prince George Airport Authority
Women's Enterprise Centre
Aboriginal Business Development Corporation
College of New Caledonia
University of Northern British Columbia
Northern BC Tourism Association

The online hub provides links to resources such as webinars, funding sources, human resource support, health and wellness information, as well as contacts for people to call if they are struggling to find the programs and/or support that they need during the challenging times.

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(via Support PG/Facebook)

"Just as Canadians must work in concert to beat back the threat of Covid-19, community groups and organizations must work together to support our local businesses - both during the pandemic and as we recover," City of Prince George Mayor Lyn Hall adds.

"The #SupportPG initiative will help provide what our local businesses tell us they need during the pandemic by providing them with marketing support, access to resources, and more. Council wants to thank our highly valued Prince George businesses for their ongoing investment and belief in our city even during this extremely trying time. We also offer our sincere thanks to our partners for coming together to #supportpg.”

Other pages included in the initiative's site are businesses that are open and operating with take-out and delivery.

And, we could all use some good news during these tough times, which is why there will be a page that includes stories of local heroes and blogs written by locally-sourced experts.

The first "Local Hero" featured on the page is Bailey Grose, who started the #HeartsofPG movement, which has gone worldwide.

“When #SupportPG was first envisioned, it was intended to highlight the amazing work of local business and bridge the gap amongst community groups and organizations," Prince George Chamber of Commerce CEO Todd orrigall says.

"Today (April 29) marks both the culmination of the initial work, and the beginning of the next phase. For any recovery to be viable, we need to ensure that our businesses are supported right now. Our goal is to ensure that business can remain viable, employers can retain employees and residents can patronize local business – the end result is a swift and successful local recovery when possible.”

If you want to show your support, you can also take the #SupportPG Pledge.