Merger looks to streamline economic and community growth in the South Kootenay

Two Kootenay organizations amalgamate to make the region more attractive to new residents, businesses and investors

Skills Centre Executive Director Morag Carter, former LCCDTS board chair, joins Brent Anhel, LCIC board chair in celebrating the merger of the two organizations against the fitting backdrop of Music in the Park at Gyro. — Photo courtesy Writer's Block Solutions

Economic and community development will now work hand-in-hand in the South Kootenay region as two long-standing organizations merge to increase efficiencies and opportunities under a non-profit structure.
The Lower Columbia Initiatives Corporation (LCIC) is amalgamating with its non-profit parent organization, the Lower Columbia Community Development Team Society (LCCDTS). This restructure means one entity will handle both economic and community development activities under a new name, according to LCIC Director Rebecca Richards.

“Acting as a corporation under a non-profit heading has been a source of frustration because it has limited grant opportunities,” she says. “Now, operating as a single non-profit society means we can more efficiently pursue project funding and partnerships.”

From Richards’ perspective, the merger will eliminate administrative duplication, resulting in more time to focus on impactful projects, such as Metal Tech Alley’s recent Battery Hub Feasibility Study and a new opportunity to set up a battery R&D lab in the region in partnership with UBC. The goal is to maintain all economic development activities while broadening the scope of work to include community development.

“LCIC has always had a very specific economic development focus, but there are always complementary aspects that are important for supporting the economy in community development," says Richards. “For example, the LCCDTS historically made improving regional health care, education, and housing a priority, and that really boosts economic development because it makes the area more attractive for potential new residents, businesses, and investors.”

Empowering grassroots initiatives through collaborative support

In the past, the LCCDTS incubated early project ideas by making it easier for people to act without setting up their own society. Community development efforts were driven by the volunteer board in collaboration with grassroots organizations.

Skills Centre Executive Director Morag Carter, former LCCDTS board chair, is pleased to see the two important areas of focus come together, pointing to several community development projects that amounted to economic opportunity, including the IncrEDIBLE Farmers Market, now a regional entity, and the Lower Columbia Community Health Centre Network Society, currently working towards establishing community health centres to fill an ongoing regional need.

"From my perspective, the really interesting thing about the former model is that LCIC was very squarely focused on economic development, while the LCCDTS provided a really essential piece of community development, which often gets left behind when people talk about economic development,” she says. “I love that the merger means we now have this dual focus on both, which is key to building strong communities in this region."

Discussions started in January, with the past few months spent ironing out the details and formalizing the decision to merge. The recently amalgamated board will be looking at organizational considerations such as representation and recruitment to ensure revitalization and future longevity.

“I’m really excited; to me, this is a long time coming,” says Richards. “I’ve been working towards this for years, and now that we've reached a consensus, this is a turning point where we can be more effective and have a bigger presence in the region.”

Strategic planning to align regional priorities

A rebrand will occur after the board and stakeholders meet in the fall to engage in strategic planning, marking an ideal time to discuss future priorities. South Kootenay municipal stakeholders in Rossland, Warfield, Trail, Montrose, Fruitvale and Areas A and B are keen on this merger, says Richards, because it benefits everyone.

“The goal is to streamline everything right down to the name,” she says, “to ensure the focus remains on the incredible local work being done to grow our economy and develop our community.”

About the partners:

Lower Columbia Initiatives Corporation is an economic development agency that drives collaborative efforts and leverages analytical research to fuel sustainable growth across industries.

Lower Columbia Community Development Team Society is mandated to foster community development by providing a collaborative forum for discussion, support, and leadership of a broad range of initiatives that contribute to enhancing community and regional well-being.