New EDO joins City of Campbell River

April 8, 2016

CAMPBELL RIVER – Rose Klukas, the director of economic development for the District of Kitimat for the past five years, will become the City of Campbell River’s Economic Development Officer May 16.

“We are fortunate to have Rose join our management team,” says Mayor Andy Adams. “Rose’s experience, sound strategic planning, forward thinking and professionalism will be a welcome addition to Campbell River.” Council decided last spring to make economic development part of City operations, and Klukas sees the benefits of integrating economic development into City Hall.

“Relationship building is the foundation of successful economic development,” says Ms. Klukas. “A key approach for me is connecting and truly collaborating with Council and other City departments as well local businesses and developers, industry, educational institutions, community groups and especially local First Nations.

Ongoing contact with neighbouring communities and provincial and federal officials also helps yield strategic programs that enhance services for residents and businesses and attract potential investors.”

“Rose brings years of experience working for local government and an impressive record of successful economic development and marketing initiatives, and we are eager to have her join the City team,” adds city manager Deborah Sargent.

“Rose has regularly hosted international delegations and is familiar with the interests of international investors. She also has direct experience helping a community remain resilient during the transition that comes with the loss of a major industry and the required creative use of limited funds.”

“My husband and I are thrilled to move to the beautiful City of Campbell River,” Klukas adds. “I look forward to putting my skills to work for Campbell River and capitalizing on the many opportunities in this community to help us all realize our full potential.”

The City of Campbell River successfully filled the economic development officer position with the assistance of Davies Park Executive Search.

• • •

New commission members announced Campbell River City Council has appointed members to fill terms that had expired on the Community Services, Recreation & Culture Commission. Michael Boulet, Chris Callanan, Cheryl Jordan and Dan Wallis will join the commission.

“Council appreciates the dedication of commission volunteers, who provide policy advice and recommendations on a range of topics,” says Mayor Andy Adams. “We look forward to their continuing efforts to help build an even better Campbell River.”

The Commission advises on the planning and provision of City parks, recreation and culture services, community support services, organized sports, visual arts, performing arts, heritage conservation, outdoor recreation, community beautification and community safety issues.

• • •

New Community Partnership Committee appointments Campbell River City Council has re-appointed two members to the Community Partnership Committee. Danna Lamb and Gregory Batt are returning members who were initially appointed to the committee for a one-year term in April 2015.

“I can’t emphasize enough how much Council appreciates the dedication, advice and recommendations of committee volunteers,” says Mayor Andy Adams. The Community Partnership Committee makes recommendations to Council on the award of Permissive Tax Exemptions for non-profit organizations performing valuable work in the community.

The committee also recommends grants-in-aid for recreation and culture organizations in Campbell River. Both re-appointments are for a three-year term, ending March 31, 2019.

• • •

Support for Community Foundation’s Vital Signs Council will fund $10,000 of the $24,000 project to produce a local Vital Signs report that features statistics about the strength of Campbell River’s social, economic and environmental features. The publically available data provided by federal, provincial and local sources will be updated every two years.

Similar reports are being produced with support of community foundations across Canada, and the comprehensive and up-to-date local data informs planning and decisions by local governments, chambers of commerce, businesses, service clubs, school districts and other organizations to improve quality of life in local communities. Council’s contribution will come from its contingency budget, funded by proceeds from local gaming.

Share This