THEBACHA/FORT SMITH - Linda Martin's job is more than bank loans and business advice, she is an economic catalyst in the South Slave.

Linda Martin: new general manager of Thebacha Business Development Services. - Paul Bickford/NNSL photo

"Economic development is important in smaller communities because we are so dependent on the government and the mines right now for jobs," she said. "We need more diversification and we need a better foundation for economic development."

As the new general manager of Thebacha Business Development Services, Martin offers a wide variety of assistance to entrepreneurs.

"I help business owners through consultations, business advice, financing, business plans and marketing plans," she said. "Whatever they need, they can come here."

That includes small business loans of up to $125,000 for business start-up or expansion.

Thebacha Business Development Services, which was established in 2001, is a Community Futures development corporation serving the east South Slave communities of Fort Smith, Fort Resolution and Lutsel K'e. It is one of seven Community Futures in the NWT.

Martin, 43, enjoys her new role.

"I enjoy helping our small business owners," she said. "It's good to see the business community grow and the number of jobs that are maintained through small business or created through small business."

Martin's helps would-be entrepreneurs navigate the sometimes-complicated world of business start-up.

"We certainly help guide them in creating their own business plan, because the business plan is their road map for success," she said. "We don't write their business plans."

Martin explained it is not her role to judge the viability of business ideas.

"The only thing I make a judgment or an analysis on is if they have the ability to repay their loan," she said.

As for who gets loans, that is decided by a loan review board consisting of six members – three from Fort Smith, two from Fort Resolution and one from Lutsel K'e. They represent Salt River First Nation, the Fort Smith Metis Council, the Town of Fort Smith, Deninu Ku'e First Nation, the Fort Resolution Metis Council, and Lutsel K'e Dene First Nation.

The short-term loans, usually five years maximum, are repayable with interest.

"We do serve sort of the slightly higher-risk clients," said Martin, who analyzes business plans for the review board.

"We have 36 active loans, but we have more clients because loans are only one part of it," she said.

The current portfolio of loans totals $1.2 million.

Businesses can also get short-term access to an office with a fax, computer and Internet service, along with a resource library and a videoconferencing centre.

Martin, who has lived in Fort Smith for 13 years, has a background in a number of management jobs, including her previous role as business manager for the Aurora College Thebacha Campus Student Association.

"In all of my jobs, even as management, I've had a very strong customer service background and I think that is an important part and important role of this job as well, because we are working with small business and small business owners and entrepreneurs," she said.

Her clients are from a wide variety of sectors – tourism, outfitting, guiding, construction, restaurants, the service sector, the retail sector, and more.

However, she cannot talk about individual businesses because of confidentiality.

Martin plans to raise the profile of Thebacha Business Development Services, which is best known for organizing the annual Fort Smith Trade Show, in co-operation with the Department of Industry, Tourism and Investment, and the Fort Smith Chamber of Commerce.

Martin, who is originally from Nova Scotia, welcomes her new role of helping businesses.

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