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Kamloops  

Kamloops organizations start #YKAStrong to help local businesses

Kamloops is #YKAStrong

If you're an avid Instagrammer, chances are you've seen the Kamloops hashtag #YKAStrong floating around.

It's a result of eight local organizations — including the Kamloops Chamber of Commerce, Tourism Kamloops and the two business improvement associations — coming together to streamline information about the COVID-19 pandemic.

"The eight organizations involved with #YKAStrong got together a couple weeks ago and really tried to come up with what we were going to provide to the local business community in a time of crisis," Acacia Pangilinan, the chamber's executive director, tells Castanet.

"We focused our efforts on consolidating good resources so that business owners and people in the community could go to one place," she says.

The group launched ykastrong.com, which includes links to provincial and federal funding applications, webinars and podcasts. 

The website also includes feel-good information about how some Kamloops businesses are pivoting to the pandemic and helping those in need.

"We also wanted to have a positive place that was celebrating what locals and the business community were doing," says Pangilinan.

She notes the social media campaign for #YKAStrong is gaining traction, with many using the hashtag to highlight the strength, resiliency and compassion of Kamloops.

"I think people really want to have a call to action and support our local businesses, and this is how they can do that."



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