Last Friday I had the opportunity to attend a meeting in Gibsons put on by the Gibsons and Areas Economic Development Partnership with presentations on the opportunities that lie ahead for our area.
The plan, which was capably presented by Joan Beck, was the culmination of over a year's work digesting the input gleaned from a community think tank held at Camp Elphinstone last spring. At that time, well over 100 community members gathered to formulate and record thoughts on "where do we go from here."
At that time, I wrote a column thanking this group for their initiative and encouraging them to continue this important visioning work.
What was needed next was for the group to formulate all the ideas and thoughts into a plan. It seems that effort has been made, and it is now time for Gibsons and Areas E and F community members to step up to the plate.
The next five years will provide great opportunities for growth of our community. It is critical that we embrace these opportunities and rise to the challenge of balancing this with a commitment to maintaining and enhancing our Coastal quality of life. In the immediate future, the plan calls for the formal incorporation of this loose partnership into an Economic Development Corporation (EDC). Guided by an independent, representative board of directors, the EDC would provide the framework and strategic direction for economic development initiatives in our communities.
The EDC would hire and direct an economic development officer (EDO) to provide traction to the plans to actually move them ahead. The days of relying only on volunteers are drawing thin.
The EDO would be charged with the responsibility to ensure that our area is able to seize the opportunities that lie just ahead. With 2010 getting closer, these opportunities are now. Proposed projects include but are not limited to initiatives to encourage business retention and expansion, harbour and waterfront development, revitalization of Upper Gibsons, commercial marine development, community centres and sports facilities, development at Hillside Industrial Park, tourism and development of year-round arts and cultural festivals.
The opportunity is ours. Let's seize it together and encourage this group to move our opportunities to realities! Now is the time!
