The Gibsons and District Chamber of Commerce wants to keep getting economic development funding from the Town of Gibsons, while local governments finalize plans for a Coast-wide economic development agency.
Chamber executive director Chris Nicholls included the funding ask as part of the 2015 report he delivered to Gibsons council on Feb. 2.
The Chamber received about $13,000 for economic development activities from the Town in 2015, and a similar amount from the Sunshine Coast Regional District (through grants from Areas D, E and F).
Nicholls said he’s already talked with director of finance Ian Poole about continuing the funding into 2016. “The suggestion was maybe we can address that on a per-quarter basis until the whole Coast-wide economic development model is set, and we’re able to work closely with that to continue on a lot of the exciting things that we’re doing,” he added.
Nicholls said the Chamber’s 10-member board has been very active in attracting new investment to the area, and he highlighted the efforts of two board members in particular – economic development committee chair William Baker, and new board member Xinyu Oteruelo.
“She [Oteruelo] has been very instrumental in helping us to understand the different types of investors, particularly from Asia and Indonesia,” Nicholls noted, adding that those potential immigrant investors are looking at Gibsons and the Sunshine Coast for opportunities to move here and become part of the community, and not just make business deals.
Nicholls also said he expects the interest from offshore investors to remain high.
Chamber officials met in late January with a delegation headed by a prominent immigration lawyer from Vancouver. “He’s presented us with some unique opportunities where we feel we’ll be able to now start embracing and encouraging visitations from these project leaders, these consultants who represent a multitude of different businesses and investment opportunities coming forward to the Sunshine Coast, so we’re looking forward to an exciting next five or six months,” Nicholls said.
Coun. Charlene SanJenko said she was impressed with the work of the new board, the Chamber’s decision to set up a committee structure, and the approach they’ve been taking with potential investors.
“Kudos for the relationship building and the approach that you’re taking with the people who are showing interest,” she said. “It needs to be noted that you are meeting with people and you’re building relationships with people who are interested in Gibsons. It’s not just replying to an inquiry. It’s not just answering a phone.”
