Nelson’s Innovative Economic Development Partnership
The Nelson and District Chamber of Commerce approach to economic development is different than many other communities, and we think, more inclusive and nimble than traditional models.
The Nelson and Area Economic Development Partnership (NAEDP) is an innovative collaboration between the City of Nelson, Regional District of Central Kootenay Electoral Areas E (including Blewett, Harrop/Procter and Balfour) and F (including Taghum and Bonnington), Community Futures Central Kootenay, and the Nelson and District Chamber of Commerce.
The Partnership, including leaders from all sectors of the economy and local government, focuses on cooperative, efficient and effective economic development, with measurable outcomes.
For a comprehensive overview of Nelson’s economy and demographics, please download our Economic Development Handout and the Economic Development Partnership-Report to Partners 2021.
Core Economic Development Activities + 2021/22 NAEDP Priority
Along with Nelson and District Chamber of Commerce staff and board members, the NAEPD accomplishes a lot of boots-on-the-ground work with the help of a strong Advisory Committee, with representatives across all sectors, led by the organization’s Coordinating Committee.
- First point of contact for business and relocation inquiries
- First point of contact for Imagine Kootenay and Investment inquiries
- First point of contact for inquiries for BC Provincial Nominee Program
- Liaison with local, Provincial and Federal government agencies and Ministers
- Act as economic development representative for Nelson and Area such as:
- West Kootenay Economic Development Dialogue
- Poverty Reduction “Nelson @ It’s Best” Steering Committee
- Street Culture Collaborative
- Workforce Innovation Council
- Trade and Investment meetings
- Imagine Kootenay Steering committee
- Nelson Kootenay Lake Destination Marketing Organization
- Downtown Waterfront Working Group
- Employment Lands Inventory Advisory Committee
- Welcoming and Inclusive Communities
- Economic Development Association of BC
- Public presentations
- Prepare investment packages
- Coordination of business retention and expansion activities:
- Business Education learning events
- Succession Planning Workshops
- Business Training Course development and implementation
- Sector Consultations/12@12 Business Roundtables
- Key note speakers-Workshops
- Business after Business
- Nelson Business Exchange
- Coordinate internal & external communications
- Recruitment, orientation and support to committee members
- Attend meetings with Coordinating and Advisory Committees
- Set meeting agendas
- Coordination of meetings & taking minutes
- Facilitate strategic direction with partnership
- Proposal development for projects
- Hiring of consultants
- Administer contracts with partners and external funders
- Manage funds
Partnership Contributions
From The Chamber & Community Futures
- Staff
- Office space
- Meeting space
- Video conference facility
- Office equipment
- Leverage funding
- Secretariat support for major events
Partnership structure and guiding principles
The structure of the NAEDP is based on seven guiding principles:
1. That the Partnership is between equal yet autonomous partners
2. That understanding and mutual respect will govern the relationship
3. That strength develops through a long-term partnership
4. That openness and transparency are paramount
5. That strategic planning will determine concrete, specific actions
6. That inclusiveness will deliver greater results
7. That accountability will ensure success
Past Priority Areas
2018-2019
Business Retention & Expansion
- Business Training Workshops including Succession Planning
- Manufacturing Sector Labour Market Study
- Buy Local Campaign
- Investment & Workforce Attraction
- Business Connect
- Junior Dragons Den Nelson – April 20
Intelligent Community
- Technology Adoption
- Nelson Innovation Centre
- Tech & Knowledge Workers
- Kootenay Screen Based Industry Workers
Outstanding Downtown
Business Investment and Attraction
- Imagine Kootenay
- Regional Cooperation
- Kootenay Business Workshop Calendar
- Load Board Development
Supporting
- Nelson At Its Best
- Economusee
