About

Mission
History
Services
Facilities

Mission

Our Mission Statement:

"To promote the entrepreneurial spirit through partnerships that provide successful and innovative business development for the benefit of the Peace Region."

The Kiwanis Enterprise Centre provides:

• The opportunity and the environment for people to innovate, plan and carry out a business venture.
• A facility where venture activities can be organized and in some cases be launched.
• Programs that encourage the entrepreneurial attitude and develop small business skills as well as training.
• Resources and inventories of business opportunities both domestic and international for access by the local community.
• Facilities, equipment, services and expertise to support the successful start-up and operation of a small business.

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History

The Kiwanis Enterprise Centre (KEC) was born in response to the needs of the community of Dawson Creek when it became aware that local graduates and young people faced with a high unemployment rate, sought their success outside the region. A decision to help youth establish viable businesses in Dawson Creek resulted in the opening of the Kiwanis Enterprise Centre.

KEC grew out of a proposal developed jointly by farmer, businessman and teacher J.M. "Mac" Taylor and Charles Parslow, District Superintendent of Schools for School District #59, Peace River South. Its inception focused on economic development with a view to providing employment skills to the younger population.

Since its opening in 1986, the Kiwanis Enterprise Centre has been a business focal point for the community offering a wide range of services to aspiring entrepreneurs, local businesses and students alike. Located behind South Peace Secondary School, it has become a starting point for many successful business ventures to date.

The necessary support structure for business start-up and success is provided by private business, all three levels of government, the community, mentors and the KEC management team.

Considered an innovative concept, KEC continues to assist young people and the community by providing a resource of business skills, self-employment opportunities and small business enterprises.

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Services

The Kiwanis Enterprise Centre (KEC) is equipped with the necessary services required by budding entrepreneurs. These include business consultations, mentorship opportunities, a wide variety of workshops, financial assistance information, an extensive business resource library, and administrative and secretarial support services. The walk-in policy allows Enterprise Centre clientele access to photocopying, fax, and best of all, a lab of modern computers with high-speed Internet access.

Support

New businesses receive a variety of support services including reception, telephone answering, facsimile services, secretarial services, computer access, photocopying, word processing, access to a resource library, meeting rooms and a board room.

Training

KEC offers training programs to participants where they can develop the needed business skills to compete in today's global market. This includes learning to prepare business plans, developing marketing plans, and enhancing management and communication skills. Participants with previous experience and training will also receive on-site assistance as required.

Counseling and Mentorship

KEC management and experienced business people from the community participate in mentorship programs providing guidance and support to new entrepreneurs. Many of the past participants rave about how they've benefited from learning about the past experiences of someone who has actually gone through it before.

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Facilities

The Enterprise Centre is located on the high school campus in its own 5000 sq ft free-standing building that acts as classroom, office, business library and information centre. Offered for lease are offices, and commercial and light manufacturing space to new, qualifying businesses. Terms are available from one week to two years maximum.

Resource Library

The Kiwanis Enterprise Centre boasts an extensive Resource Library, a business information centre collected for the purpose of encouraging entrepreneurial vigor in the community. It is a collection point for business skills training tools including books, current business magazines, videos, audiotapes, telephone listings, export trade publications, association listings, franchise books, government grants, statistical data, information, and much more material related to turning ideas into new ventures.

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