Project Title:

Gabriola Economic Development Website

Project Organization:

Gabriola Island Chamber of Commerce

Project Investment:

  • Island Coastal Economic Trust: $14,000
  • Gabriola Island Chamber of Commerce: $14,000
  • Total Budget: $28,000

Gabriola Island has undertaken a number of recent initiatives to build capacity for economic development from the ground up. Results from a 2016 asset mapping study laid the groundwork for a “made-on-Gabe” economic strategy. Now with a newly hired Economic Development Officer, and established operating plan and budget, Gabriola Island has the capacity to promote its community as a place to work, live and invest.
Executing upon the strategy, this project will develop an investment attraction website that highlights Gabriola Island’s entrepreneurial-centered lifestyle and economy. The website will include a community profile and video vignettes that showcases the community’s unique value proposition identified in the strategy, and include a “virtual concierge” directing users to local businesses and services.
Once launched, Gabriola Island will have an online presence that showcases the community’s unique identity, value proposition and favorability for investment. In addition to investment attraction, the project is expected to benefit business retention and expansion, offseason tourism, local producers, and support Gabriola’s self-sustainability goals.