BVEDA Year in Review Featured in Interior News
The Bulkley Valley Economic Development Association was asked to write the Guest View in this week's Interior News. Here is the article in its entirety.
It was an interesting year for the Bulkley Valley in terms of economic development.
There were more highs than lows this year as many businesses saw increased sales and new businesses come to town. There were also businesses that saw their run come to an end. The Bulkley Valley Economic Development Association focused on grass roots business generation through lead generation in 2012.
Information gathered from 63 projects in northern British Columbia was provided to 148 businesses in the Bulkley Valley. Respondents to a survey of local companies said the leads provided by the BVEDA led to at least $600,000 in incremental sales that would not have been made had the information not been provided.
On the downside, Smithers saw Fields (and come March 2013) Zellers closing their doors. The BVEDA continues to work hard to find suitable replacements as well as working on ‘made in Smithers’ solutions to filling the voids created by the closing of the two stores.
The highly successful InvestNorthWestBC.ca (INWBC) website, a first-of-its-kind collaboration between 15 communities in the northwest, garnered thousands of visits a month, added an ‘engage with communities’ portion of INWBC.
The goal of the section is to demonstrate what each community has to offer and why it is a good place to invest.
The case for investing in Smithers is the town’s ability to retain talent. The quality of life, the high number of healthcare providers, the second highest number of PhD’s per capita of any community in British Columbia (Victoria), and nearly 100 skilled trades businesses, all make Smithers attractive to outside businesses.
Other items mentioned are the local success stories such as Hy-Tech Drilling, Bandstra Transportation Systems, All-West Glass, and UTM Exploration Services, all have grown into large operations with their roots still planted here.
The BVEDA also uses the British Columbia Trade and Investment Representatives (TIRs) around the world to get the word out on what Smithers has to offer. This is communicated through investment marketing materials for the Bulkley Valley focused on the European and American markets. The Bulkley Valley Economic Development Association will continue to focus on the Bulkley Valley by working to create an environment that fosters growth of our local businesses.
Allan Stroet is the Economic Development Officer with the Bulkley Valley Economic Development Association.
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