Economic Development - Partnerships

At Community Futures Central Kootenay we are dedicated to working with communities and organizations to develop partnerships to further the growth and vitality of our region.

The Invest Kootenay Partnership (IKP) was established by the cities of Castlegar and Nelson in 2005 with support from Community Futures Central Kootenay and the chambers of commerce in Castlegar and Nelson. The Town of Creston joined the partnership in 2006 with support from the Creston Valley Development Authority and the Creston and District Chamber of Commerce. In 2007, the partnership expanded to include the City of Revelstoke and the City of Grand Forks.

The Invest Kootenay Partnership was established to pursue, jointly, efficiently and effectively, local and regional economic development initiatives aimed at attracting out-of-area investment. Invest Kootenay is not a whole economic development program but it is an important tool in this area’s economic development toolbox.

The cornerstones of the program are:

• Recruiting key contact points (e.g. tourism-based industries such as ski hill operators, golf course operators, hoteliers) in each community and providing them with the tools to point these potential investors in the right direction
• Making it easy for the potential investor to gather information on our communities
• Taking advantage of the Internet as the primary source of information and to create excitement around investment opportunities in the Kootenays
• Using the web page as a vehicle to make it easy for the potential investor to contact the community First Point of Contact Representative (e.g. the Economic Development Officer or equivalent)
• Complement existing economic development programs (a tool in the economic development toolbox)
• Using local community members to showcase our communities

For more information please go to www.investkootenay.com

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The Nelson Economic Development Partnership (NEDP) is a joint partnership between the City of Nelson, Community Futures Central Kootenay, and the Nelson & District Chamber of Commerce. The partnership was formalised in April 2005 with the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding between the three partners.

NEDP is based on the following approach:

• Focusing on priorities
• Being a catalyst or a driver (where possible, given our limited resources)
• Leveraging resources
• Seeking out partnerships
• Building regional collaboration
• Open door policy
• Open to opportunities

The NEDP’s five priority areas identified in the 2007-08 workplan are:

• Business Retention & Expansion
• Business Investment & Attraction
• Communications and Sector Strengthening
• Infrastructure
• Labour Market Issues

NEDP initiatives to date include Invest Kootenay, Kootenay Business Exchange, Way Finding Maps and Signage and Sector Consultation and Strengthening.

NEDP Update, Nov. 2007