re ‘dors, Ua gies \ we Peat ade aim eo tee eB etapa of 8 hoe hee SL At Beat the summertime blues Loan program for students a success NORTH SHORE students have an option to the annual pavement- pounding summer job search. By lan Noble News Reporter The North Vancouver branch of the Business Development Bank of Canada is offering loaus to students in conjunc- tion with Human Resources Development Canada. . Applications for the Student Business Loans Program will de accepted starting April 1,-said Carol Tennessy, the bank's branch manager. The loans program, she said, gives students an introduction to entrepreneur- ship. “ht gives them an option to create a job for themselves and others,” she said. “That's the biggest thing.” The student loans program has been offered for the past five years and the local office always meets its loan target numbers, said Tennessy. Last year, 15 students received loans from the North Vancouver branch. A lot of the students put the money into jobs such as painting, yard and lawn maintenance, and retail outlets related to the tourism trade, said Tennessy. To be eligible for a loan, students must detail their plans for a viable busi- ness project. To ensure the projects will fly, the bank offers counselling and train- ing to help students prepare business plans and operate successfully. If more assistance is required, the development bank will provide the free services of a CASE (counselling assis- lant to small enterprises) counsellor. Students can receive loans of up to $3,000. Students must be at least 15 years old and be in high school, commu- nity college or university and returning to school in the fall. The loans are interest-free until the due date of Oct. 4, 1996. Students who repay the loans by Sept. 6 receive a $100 Tebate. According to the — Business Development Bank, students in B.C. cre- ated 403 summer jobs last year through loans of $404,000. Application forms can be picked up at any local branch of the Canada Employment Centre, the Canada Eniployment Centre for students, Royal Bank or the Business Development Bank of Canada. B.C., feds back Ballard bus d Member uf Montreal Exchange & CIPF BALLARD POWER Systems continues to attract high-profile investment to its fuel cell technology. ‘ On Tuesday, the North Vancouver company announced the B.C, govern- ment had agreed to an $8.6 million program that will see three fuel cell-powered buses in‘the Lower Mainiand, / “Placing these pollution- free buses on the road reflects our commitment to preserv- ing British Columbia's natur- al environment,” said Premier Glen Clark. 1695 Marine Drive at Tatlow He added the successful commercialization of Ballard fuel cells will provide eco- nomic growth and expanded employment. The two-year program includes $8.37 million for three fuel cell buses, spares, fuel, program support and the continued testing of Ballard’s commercial prototype fuel cell-powered transit bus. Paul Howard, Ballard’s vice-president of transporta- tion systems, said the pro- gram with BC Transit and a demonstration with the Chicago Transit Authority will give Ballard early market position and important field data to refine the fuel cell transit bus engine. Commercial production is scheduled to begin in 1998. Ballard’s Paul Lancaster said the three buses are expected to be in operation in April or May of 1997. Ballard’s zero-emission engine converts natural gas, methanol, or hydrogen fuel into electricity without com- bustion. The federal government announced $400,000 in fund- ing to Ballard Tuesday. That brings the total feder- al cash infusion through the ‘$Ssuzuk ike anyone who owns one. Brand New Sidekicks only ZF DZ, DIS Aika SUPPLY A LIMITED!! 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