The recently-appointed board of the Sunshine Coast’s new economic development organization, known officially for now as “the entity,” met for the first time April 28.
The meeting was billed as the first transition session, and brought together the members of a local government steering committee with the new board.
Sunshine Coast Regional District (SCRD) chair Garry Nohr said that after meeting with the steering committee, the new board broke off on its own to discuss its next steps.
“They’ll be on their own to come up with their own bylaws and direction,” Nohr said, “although it’s pretty clear what the elected officials have given as a direction they want to see from a future board.”
Nohr also noted that the SCRD will work with the committee for three months, providing support staff and the services of CAO Janette Loveys for advice and guidance.
The group will also have to develop a strategic plan. Nohr said they’re awaiting word on a grant application to the Island Coastal Economic Trust. The money would cover the cost of bringing back the same consultant who helped the local governments draft the original agreement to set up the agency. He said they hope to hear if the grant has been approved by the end of the month.
“I’m hoping June,” said Nohr about when the board will be fully independent of the steering committee.
The economic development organization is getting $300,000 in annual funding from the SCRD, Sechelt, Gibsons and the Sechelt Indian Band. It’s still unclear, though, how much of their work will be done in the public eye, and how much will be behind closed doors.
“I think quite a few of their meetings are going to be open, more so than the previous organization,” Nohr offered, adding that some meetings, like those involving businesses and investors who want to talk confidentially, will need to be closed. The nine-member board will report regularly to elected officials.
They are: Shelley McDade of the Sunshine Coast Credit Union; Alan Skelley from Pender Har-bour; Robin Chauhan; Maria Hampvent; Tanya Smith; Cheryl McNicol, president of the Self Employed Womens Network (SEWN); Celia Robben of Sunshine Coast Tourism; David Chis-holm, a tech entrepreneur and president of the Gibsons Chamber of Com-merce; and a representative of the shíshálh Nation.
