Sechelt now has a business development committee at a cost of $350,000 for 2013. During the April 3 regular council meeting, Sechelt Mayor John Henderson said the $350,000 commitment, during a time of budgetary cutbacks in other areas, was very important.
"I don't think there's anything we can do that's more important than this, and I think it's very important to do it right, to not do it on a shoestring," Henderson said.
"We need to do it because we have so much to sell."
Many other councillors agreed. Coun. Tom Lamb noted the need for a business development committee was "very evident" at the downtown business "think tank session" that was held with council on March 18.
Both councillors Alice Lutes and Mike Shanks spoke against the idea, saying it cost too much.
"I am in favour of economic development but I feel that at this cost it's too much for Sechelt to bear this particular year. We did have the opportunity and have missed it to do a shared regional economic development, which is something I strongly believe in," Lutes said.
"So to do it on our own with this big a budget in this particular year is just too much for me. I have to vote against it."
When the motion was made to start the new committee, all but Lutes and Shanks were in favour, so the motion passed.
The business development committee has been named "Sechelt Innovations Ltd." and is meant to create more investment, business and industry in Sechelt.
Funding for the committee's $350,000 2013 operating budget will be split between the municipality and the Sunshine Coast Community Forest. Sechelt will pitch in $150,000 and the community forest will pay the remainder.
