Island-wide community conversations will enhance strategic efforts to build resiliency
COURTENAY, 08 JUNE 2022 – Salt Spring Island’s Community Economic Sustainability Commission will host a series of community conversations designed to create a resiliency roadmap, with funding support from Island Coastal Economic Trust’s Ready–Capacity Building Program.
The Salt Spring Island Community Economic Sustainability Commission (CESC) is spearheading the creation of a Community Economic Forum on recovery and well-being, with a focus on retaining and strengthening existing businesses, and attracting new, green, and clean businesses.
“We’ve learned so much in the past two years about the unique ingredients that contribute to our resilience,” explains Gary Holman, Salt Spring Island Electoral Area Director. “The focus of our Community Economic Forum will be broad, as factors such as housing, wages, and larger economic trends necessarily impact the local economy.”
CESC’s project builds on recommendations from a 2018 insights study of the Island’s economic environment. This study will be updated as part of this project, including a review of the area’s key sectors such as agriculture, hospitality/accommodation, food services, the arts, trades, retail, health, and recreation.“
This work will fundamentally increase the Island’s economic readiness and capacity,” says Brodie Guy, CEO, Island Coastal Economic Trust. “In today’s post-pandemic reality, we as islands and coastal communities must be able to quickly respond to opportunities that contribute to year-round vibrancy and diversity.”
This project will get underway shortly and is supported through ICET’s Ready–Capacity Building Program under the Economic Development Strategy Stream. The Trust will contribute $10,000 to the total project costs of $20,000.
The Ready–Capacity Building Program accepts projects on a continuous intake.
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About Island Coastal Economic Trust
Founded by the Province of British Columbia in 2006, the Island Coastal Economic Trust works to build a sustainable and resilient coastal economy in reciprocal relationships with First Nations, municipalities, and regional districts across Vancouver Island, the Sunshine Coast, and islands and inlets from the Salish Sea to Cape Caution. Serving over half a million residents, we partner with communities in the development and financing of their economic infrastructure and diversification efforts through our unique structure that is led by, and accountable to, communities.
Since our inception, Island Coastal Economic Trust has approved more than $55 million to economic development initiatives that have attracted over $270 million in new investment to our region. These investments have created over 2,750 permanent jobs, and countless positive impacts, across the coast.
Island Coastal Economic Trust acknowledges that we work for communities across the ancestral and unceded territories of the Kwak̓wala, Nuučaan̓uɫ, Éy7á7juuthem, Ligwilda’xw, Pəntl’áč, She shashishalhem, Hul’q’umi’num’, diitiidʔaatx̣, SENĆOŦEN, Lekwungen, and T’Sou-ke speaking peoples.
For more information, please visit www.islandcoastaltrust.ca.
Contact:
Brodie Guy, CEO
Island Coastal Economic Trust
250-871-7797
brodie@islandcoastaltrust.ca
