Wide Range Of Positions Will Receive Funding To Support Rural Businesses And Communities
COURTENAY – Seventeen new employment positions, serving more than 30 rural communities, will be created across the Island and Coastal region in the first intake period of the Island Coastal Economic Trust’s (ICET) economic recovery program.
The Rural Business and Community Recovery Program (RBCRP), funded by the Province of BC and launched on February 18th, addresses capacity challenges in rural, remote and Indigenous communities by supporting the creation of new, temporary and term positions that strengthen business and community economic recovery and resilience.
Aaron Stone
“We are impressed by the great quality and diversity of applications received in this first intake,” says ICET Board Chair Aaron Stone. “The variety of approaches shows how each community has assessed their needs based on the assets in place and the direction needed to ensure their quick recovery and future sustainability.”
The range of successful applications underscores the breadth and depth of work needed to successfully activate economic recovery and resiliency efforts across the region.
The new jobs will put “boots to the ground” to facilitate direct advisory services to businesses in need, support community recovery initiatives and, in smaller rural and remote communities, facilitate broad economic diversification activity – all of which will support recovery, sustainability and economic resilience in rural communities.
“The Rural Business and Community Recovery Program fits with our plan to build an innovative, sustainable economic recovery that works for everyone,” said Ravi Kahlon, Minister of Jobs, Economic Recovery and Innovation. “Our goal is to provide businesses and communities the supports needed to emerge from the COVID-19 pandemic on a stronger economic footing.”
Regionally focused business and community recovery services will be deployed by the Sunshine Coast Regional Economic Development Organization, Rural Islands Partnership, Community Futures Central Island, Tourism Vancouver Island and the Ucluelet Chamber of Commerce. Place-based innovation and partnerships are at the core of these regional initiatives, as illustrated by the Ucluelet Chamber of Commerce Regional Digital Marketplace. A new position will support the integration of the region’s makers and service providers into the realm of digital sales through a digital marketplace that leverages the global reputation of West Coast artists and businesses.
Locally based community and business recovery activities will be served through new jobs in the City of Port Alberni, the City of Powell River and on Salt Spring Island. Also focused on partnerships and collaboration amongst organizations, these positions will build on unique community strengths and organization expertise, to address each area’s recovery and community development needs.
In communities under 5000, funding will be used to hire Economic Development professionals to support economic recovery and diversification, tourism sector restart and address new business development and employment creation opportunities. Communities such as the Ditidaht First Nation, Malahat Nation, District of Port Hardy, Village of Tahsis, District of Lantzville, Hornby Island and the Port Renfrew area will leverage these positions to kickstart economic recovery, as well as address long-standing, unmet needs.
All RBCRP jobs are expected to begin in the next month and must be completed before November 2022.
The second intake period is currently open through until April 9th. Applicants are encouraged to contact ICET staff prior to submitting an application.
For more information, including guidelines and application forms, please visit the Rural Business and Community Recovery Program section of our website: www.islandcoastaltrust.ca/recovery-programs