Lower Columbia Initiatives Corporation (LCIC) update report

The Lower Columbia Initiatives Corporation (LCIC) is spearheading an economic development project in co-operation with Selkirk College's Rural Development Institute. Partnering with LCIC is the Columbia Basin Trust, Kootenay Association for Science and Technology, Trail Chamber of Commerce and the Trail Community Skills Center.

The LCIC Business Retention and Expansion (BR&E) project is a region-wide effort that emphasizes personal visits as a way to identify the needs of our existing businesses. Over the next six months, 250 to 300 personal visits and interviews will be conducted with businesses throughout the Lower Columbia region.

Specifically, the objectives of the project are to:

1. Identify the needs, concerns and opportunities of existing local businesses in order that, where appropriate, local action can be taken to respond to the businesses' needs or development opportunities.

2. Learn of the future plans of the region's local businesses with respect to expansion, relocation and/or retention and assess where assistance can be provided.

3. Demonstrate the region's pro-business attitude and develop an effective means of communication with local businesses.

4. Have the region actively involved in economic development.

The BR&E survey will indicate the future plans/needs of local businesses and how businesses view the community as a place to do business. In turn, this survey information will be used to plan future economic development initiatives.

A final analysis will be completed in the fall of 2012, at which time the LCIC will present the findings to local councils, area directors and other organizations. In the meantime, if you would like more information on this initiative, please do not hesitate to contact the LCIC office at 250-364-6461 or email Santorini.