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HomeNewsFuture of economic development in Smithers uncertain: BVEDA chairperson

Future of economic development in Smithers uncertain: BVEDA chairperson

The Bulkley Valley Economic Development Association (BVEDA) will end next year the same time council has decided to axe their contract.

Chair of the board Sean Rowell says they didn’t have a chance to make their case to council ahead of the decision.

He’s also worried council doesn’t have a plan to continue the service.

“You would think that the new plan would involve talking to the people that have been running it for seven years – and I would say having pretty good success at it,” says Rowell. “so if the BVEDA – who gets something like 700 contacts every year – if one of those turns into a new building or a new operation, it pays for itself really.”

He also says the future of the coworking space offered through the association is uncertain.

Rowell says almost half of their $214,000 budget goes towards tourism promotions in Smithers. Their largest expense, according to Rowell, is the economic development officer.

With the help of grants, municipal taxpayers only have to pay $20,000 for the economic development service, says Rowell.

After having a contract for seven years with the BVEDA, Councillor Frank Wray says council is moving in another direction.

“We’re going to look a little more closely at how we’re going to deliver economic development next year in the budget cycle,” says Wray. “So there won’t be a year where we’re not spending that money.”

Councillor Gladys Atrill recused herself from the vote on the BVEDA contract at last week’s council meeting. Atrill is listed as a staff member with the BVEDA. (Tourism Director at the Town of Smithers)

The only other staff listed on their website is the Economic Development Officer Allan Stroet.

The BVEDA’s other funding partners include Area A of the Regional District of Bulkley-Nechako and the Office of the Wet’suwet’en. The BVEDA has indicated the RDBN will be ending their contract with them as well.

The RDBN created an economic development service in 2013 to serve all the communities in the region. In 2017, Smithers taxpayers contributed $54,000 to the service.

In a memo to council last week, The Town of Smithers says they continue to support tourism marketing through the 3 per cent Municipal Regional District Tax and will work with the Tourism Advisory Committee on a model for future delivery.

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