The Mayor of Sechelt says he’s pleased with the results from Sechelt Innovations Limited.
When SILÂ was set up John Henderson said he wanted to see at least 3 investments that would create at least 30 jobs within the first year.
But in its quarterly report SIL says jobs may not be the best way to measure its performance. For example, the organization says 45 jobs were created by 11 existing businesses in its first 6 months, but they can’t say if it was a direct result of SIL initiatives.
SIL says it’s currently working with 16 companies that could bring more than 40 jobs to Sechelt, but nothing’s been finalized.
Henderson says until there’s a better measure, like GDP specifically calculated for Sechelt, job numbers will have to do.
SIL also says it’s a bit behind schedule with one of its signature projects. They’re setting up a free WiFi network through the downtown. It had been hoped the launch would come earlier this month, but it’s now planned for around Labour Day.
SIL was set up last year with a budget of about 300-thousand dollars a year, much of it from the revenues of another District-owned company; the community forest (Sechelt Community Projects Inc). SIL is holding a public AGM on August 6th.
