A Columbia Basin pilot program could increase job opportunities in rural B.C.

The Columbia Basin Rural Development Institute (RDI) is launching a new business retention and expansion pilot project

Terri MacDonald is the regional innovation chair in rural economic development for the Columbia Basin Rural Development Institute. — Photo courtesy Terri MacDonald

The Columbia Basin’s Rural Development Institute (RDI) has offered to conduct research and test groups on behalf of the three-year business retention and expansion (BR+E) pilot project.

Testing will occur in the Lower Columbia Initiative Corporation, the Kootenay Association for Science and Technology and the Kootenay Rockies Innovation Council. A partnership between Rossland and Trail and surrounding communities within the Regional District of Kootenay Boundary will be the first group to test the project.

“We are not expecting any BR+E reports to come out in June,” said Terri MacDonald, the regional innovation chair in rural economic development for the Columbia Basin Rural Development Institute. “Greater Trail and potentially Boundary are just getting started on data collection. Their community-specific reports will likely be available in the fall.”

Some of the research gathered during the test dates will be available this spring when the website is launched, but the report will not be available until the fall. Data needs to be collected to begin regional-level analysis, but this will be determined based on how many communities begin the process.  

The BR+E is focused on improving business growth and expansion to create more jobs in each community. The RDI has purchased a Basin-wide licence to get the project off the ground as soon as possible, and the research reports will be available for review online this June.

For more information email Terri MacDonald or call her at 250-365-1434.