What’s new in Nelson?

Nelson continues to be a thriving community with a vibrant downtown and growing manufacturing and technology sectors

Tom Thomson stands in front of the former CP Rail Station building that is being renovated to become a new visitor and business centre. — Colin Payne photo

The executive director of the Nelson & District Chamber of Commerce, Tom Thomson, certainly has his finger on the pulse of this unique community. Thomson has a background in broadcasting that has led him all over British Columbia and then finally to Nelson. He has been with the chamber for five years. 

Thomson said that Nelson becomes a destination for people; when they stumble upon it, it is not unusual for them to wonder how they can carve out a piece of the pie for themselves. Because of this, Nelson boasts a strong entrepreneurial sector. Not surprisingly, there are 1,300 business licences in this community of over 10,000—and the chamber has over 500 members.

“The chamber is always concerned about business retention and expansion,” said Thomson. “We want to be involved in as many initiatives as possible that will hopefully maintain the health of our core businesses.”

A diversified business scene

He said Nelson harbours growing manufacturing and technology sectors, as well as successful tourism and retail spheres. These continue to be very important to the downtown core.

“In 2010 we did a comprehensive business retention and expansion survey, where we went out and checked the pulse of about 200 businesses,” said Thomson. “We talked to all different sectors and now utilize a lot of the information that we gathered."

As a result, Thomson said, the chamber can also conduct more business and public education on topics such as succession planning, business valuation and conducting business in changing economic times.

Chamber initiatives

The Shop Nelson and Area campaign is an ongoing project in this West Kootenay city. Currently, it is focused on an exhibit at  Touchstones Nelson that compares Baker Street downtown from 1976 to present-day. It looks at the future of Baker Street, which, Thomson said, lies in the hands of the community and the public.

“We all have to make sure that we continue to support local businesses as much as possible so that the bricks-and-mortar stores remain,” said Thomson.

He said the chamber plans to introduce the 360 campaign toward the end of the year. Based on an American initiative, Nelson's own twist on the campaign encourages locals to consider three businesses in the area that they would like to see remain open, and spend about $60 in each of these shops. 

“Money will go full circle, hence 360,” said Thomson. “We will continue to have a strong, vibrant downtown core and long-term sustainability for our community.”

Thomson said the chamber works with Community Futures in Nelson, and as a new project, they have put together a formal application to develop a sister city relationship with Sandpoint, Idaho. This will build on tourism, economic development and cultural opportunities.

“We have found that the two communities already share a lot of things in common,” said Thomson. “We will continue to build on these and increase cross-border relations, which will benefit the communities.”

Whitewater Ski Resort will likely continue to grow on its success of recent years, said Thomson. After an expansion two years ago, Whitewater saw a significant increase in visitor and skier traffic. Thomson is excited about Nelson's future. He said there is a great architectural, cultural and heritage feel to Nelson, a strong arts community and a certain vibe about Nelson that just works.