Area A Director for the Regional District of Bulkley-Nechako Mark Fisher is optimistic about economic development in the Bulkley Valley.
He says using tax dollars to fund the BV Economic Development Association (BVEDA) has become redundant.
He says the district already does economic development.
“The approach at the regional district is tangible. Some of the projects are very tangible to measure. At this point, there hasn’t been a whole lot of tangible stuff through the BVEDA.”
Fisher applauds some of the work of the BVEDA, but says there isn’t much to offer for growing the agriculture sector in the rural areas. He also says it doesn’t make sense to be paying twice for economic development.
The regional district’s economic development department is funded through general taxation, says Fisher.
He says he’ll sort out how the $40,000 that was going to the BVEDA will be spent.
“Like have a fund that all groups could access for economic development – and that wouldn’t exclude BVEDA if they did continue – but these are just ideas at this point,” says fisher.
The RDBN board will vote on the contract this summer.
Smithers council will end their contract with the association next year that has prompted the BVEDA to close their doors.