As an ambitious first step towards preparing a community plan for economic growth, the Gibsons and Areas economic development conference, Working Together for the Benefit of All, was held at Camp Elphinstone on Saturday, Feb. 21. The conference brought political, business and community leaders together for an intensive day of workshops and discussion.
Sponsored by Gibsons Economic Development Partnership, the Town of Gibsons and area businesses, the conference was designed to jump-start the process that will eventually result in a Coast-wide economic development plan.
Keynote speaker Dr. David Bond, a former chief economist with the Hong Kong Bank of Canada and adjunct professor at UBC, spoke on "Challenge, Change and Partnerships."
Immediately zeroing in on the Coast's diversity and its artisan community, Bond termed these assets, which attract visitors for a longer stay, as essential.
"Tourism provides a prime opportunity still to be fully exploited. This could be a year-round industry," Bond said. He added that more information is needed to fully understand the market and suggested that questionnaires be developed for use at visitor information centres and other areas. The results, when tabulated, should provide a visitor profile and better inform the business community.
"In a changing economy, community partnerships are key to survival," he said. "If you don't do it, who will?"
Internationally renowned consultants Tom Pinfold and John Murray explained the role of an effective economic strategic plan for the Coast.
Hired by the Sunshine Coast Economic Development Society (SCEDS), with funding from Western Economic Diversification, Pinfold and Murray will conduct a "gap analysis" that will survey Coast residents and identify areas where dollars are leaking to businesses in the Lower Mainland, explain why this is happening and recommend procedures to attract business to reinforce the economy.
Pinfold and Murray will also survey the community to prepare an ambitious strategic economic plan for the whole Coast that will include a vision of where the Coast community wishes to be in 10 years, identify goals, develop a strategy to achieve the goals and follow up with implementation.
SCEDS Chair Gerry Tretick noted that the conference was designed to help define a community vision in Gibsons and area."The four steps needed in a good economic plan are vision, goals, priorities and implementation," Tretick said. "It's logical that the economy of an area is not defined by a political board, but by the community itself."
Bond, Tretick and Nanaimo economic development officer Tanja McQueen all agreed that support by local government is critical in achieving community goals.
Gibsons Mayor Barry Janyk indicated the Town of Gibsons recognizes this need and is prepared to commit serious financial resources to implement an economic strategic plan.
"By working with our neighbours in Elphinstone, West Howe Sound and soon the Squamish Nation, we will create the vibrant economic character that is our destiny," Janyk said.
Janyk agreed with McQueen's assessment that communities must invest in projects that provide the most return on investment.
"There are some projects that will provide less economic benefit than others, and if we are to produce economic wealth for the Sunshine Coast, we should concentrate at the onset on the projects that will deliver the maximum community benefit in the form of jobs or tax dollars," Janyk said.
"We want jobs that will support a home and family in our community, not just entry-level jobs," Janyk said. The newest Community Futures program, The Bottom Line, will be an important part of the job creation and economic development strategies as it strives to retain and support existing businesses.
As noted by program coordinator Dave Allen, existing businesses provide up to 80 per cent of new jobs, and their success is integral to economic growth and stability in the community. Following the presentations, workshop attendees broke into discussion teams, reviewing suggestions for community vision and goals, which would provide growth for Gibsons and area in a way which would benefit the greater community in the coming 10 years.
Sunshine Coast Regional District representative Celia Fisher (Area E - Elphinstone) applauded the home grown solutions to a problem that is greatly affecting area residents and businesses, while Area F director Bernie Mulligan noted that this forum is one example of how communities can start working together, particularly to create opportunities for a solid industrial base at Hillside Industrial Park and through creation of a West Howe Sound Port Authority.
At the conclusion of the day's intensive discussions, Tretick said the information provided by the teams would be collated and that the results will be circulated to workshop participants and to the community through local media.
