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NORTH VANCOUVER ISLAND – Port Alice Council recently accepted the final the Economic Development Strategy report “Port of Potential.” The report sets out six key strategies: Foundational actions, Accommodations and food services, Tourism, Small Business attraction, retention and expansion, Resident attraction, and Investment attraction. It was agreed that the most potential impact in the near-term are on tourism and small business support.
On January 30th a community-led business development workshop took place in Port Alice. Participants were able to hear from local entrepreneurs, including B&B owners and Community Futures on the challenges and rewards of starting a small business.
Port Alice, along with all the other North Island communities, including First Nations communities, will be participating in a Regional District of Mt. Waddington Tourism Forum being planned for March 16. The purpose of this Community to Community forum will be to discuss the tourism sector on the North Island, regional plans, and learn about ways other businesses are making it or breaking it – locally, provincially and internationally.
On January 25th the region played host to the Ministry of Jobs, Tourism and Skills Training and the Economic Development Association of BC who provided a day long workshop on planning and economic development. The workshop was titled “Building Blocks” and addressed a range of planning and development topics to a diverse audience from across the region.
Business development training is also trending up on the North Island. Reconciliation Canada is collaborating with Cormorant Island’s Tides of Change Joint Steering Committee to create and deliver an Entrepreneur Support Program for Island residents. This holistic support program uses a ‘reconciliation lens’ to enhance the success rate of more traditional approaches to economic development.
The primary goals are to enhance the capacity of local entrepreneurs through business skills training; to stimulate creation of new, and growth of existing, businesses; and to develop an entrepreneur support framework useful to support economic reconciliation in other remote and Indigenous communities. The Reconciliation Canada training is being delivered by Simon Fraser University’s RADIUS Ventures, and by Community Futures and will include on-site business coaching
School District 85 is actively promoting entrepreneurship throughout the district. A great example is a program developed by Darcy Deacon, Principal, at Eagle View Elementary in Port Hardy. The Eagle View Young Entrepreneurs Club is comprised of students who have demonstrated an interest in exploring the world of business and enterprise. The program seeks to build connections for students through real-life career experience as they explore the world of business.
Young entrepreneurs map out their success with a realistic business plan. They will learn how to design their own products, conduct market research, set prices and create marketing materials. The students will then put their plans into action at the Eagle’s Den trade show; a dynamic summative event where they interact with customers, pitch their product to potential investors and earn money.
– David Mitchell is the General Manager of Community Futures Mount Waddington. He can be reached at david@cfmw.ca or 250-956-2220.