The four local governments on the Sunshine Coast are a big step closer to setting up a regional economic development body.
The Sechelt First Nation, the Sunshine Coast Regional District, Gibsons and Sechelt have signed a “Sunshine Coast Economic Development Charter”.
But, there’s still a lot to do before the new partnership is finalized.
Garry Nohr Chairs the SCRD. He says the next step is getting the funding agreement in place and setting aside the money in the 2016 budgets so the project can get going in the spring.
Nohr also says they’ll be looking to recruit community members to sit on an Economic Development Committee, and that Committee will ultimately decide what gets done, but he adds they’ve already got some broad goals.
Nohr says the idea is to work with, not replace agencies already getting funding for economic development initiatives.
Here’s what some of the other local government leaders had to say in a release announcing the signing:
“Sechelt Council has identified both development of our economy and working cooperatively with our neighbouring local governments as strategic priorities,” says District of Sechelt Mayor, Bruce Milne. “This initiative shows a willingness to move in a direction that we view as important to the future of the entire Coast.”
“When we work together and collaborate with neighbours around economic development, we are all stronger,” says Sechelt Indian Band Chief Calvin Craigan. “In light of what has transpired, there’s a new thinking that will allow the Sechelt Nation the opportunity to bring new economic initiatives to the Coast.”
“The Town of Gibsons has long been a supporter of economic development as a means of contributing to the prosperity of our community,” said Town of Gibsons Mayor, Wayne Rowe. “We are excited to join forces with our neighbouring local governments to achieve greater results with a regional economic development plan. This initiative is particularly timely given the recent closure of the paper division of Howe Sound Pulp and Paper.”
