Make your backyard Golden

The town of Golden has big plans for 2012

1 of 2A fire dancer performs at the 2011 Masque Parade in Golden, B.C.

2 of 2Suzanne McCrimmon is the manager of community economic development for Golden Area Initiatives.

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Whether you dream of heli-boarding or skiing in knee-deep powder in the Purcell Mountains or at the world-renowned Kicking Horse Mountain Resort, checking out the world’s largest grizzly bear refuge, enjoying some of the best biking terrain in Canada, or playing a round of world-class golf—the town of Golden promises not to disappoint.

The community of just over 7,000 people not only offers these amazing recreational opportunities, it also provides a lifestyle that allows you to raise a family and become successful in business.

Suzanne McCrimmon, manager of community economic development for Golden Area Initiatives, couldn’t be more excited for the year ahead. Golden Area Initiatives has just launched a new website and it is working on a brand new business retention and expansion program for 2012.

Social media

Livegoldenbc.ca was just launched at the end of December 2011 and it has already had more than 600 views. The website promotes the new campaign, Make Golden, B.C., YOUR Backyard. There is an entire social media campaign surrounding this strong initiative, with Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn pages all up and running. This is just one part of the Migration and Investment Marketing Strategy, funded in partnership with Columbia Shuswap Regional District, Columbia Basin Trust (CBT) and the Town of Golden, to help retain residents and encourage people to live and invest in the area.

Business retention and expansion (BR&E) program

The BR&E program is something that is happening across the Kootenays and Golden is excited to be participating. The Town will be launching a BR&E program for Golden and Area A in the fall of 2012. The program involves providing a survey to local businesses to find out how they are presently doing business and if they have plans to expand. This is all to help the town of Golden enhance its business services.

“Additionally, we are working regionally on an overall BR&E template that all communities will use," said McCrimmon. "Results will be shared in order to do collaborative regional projects that will enhance and support all communities."

Multi-stakeholder community economic development planning

The Town of Golden was tasked with coming up with a community economic development plan in 2011. Golden Area Initiatives started with many tools, including a strategic plan from CBT and previous strategic plans. They went through a whole process using tools from the government to find out what the people of Golden and surrounding area were looking for in their community. They hired a consultant to gather the results, and in 2012, they will be taking the plan back to the community, and from there they will figure out how to implement the strategies.

The top three benefits of having a business in Golden

Knowledge-based workers and teleworkers: The unique lifestyle possible in Golden has proven exceptionally attractive to those looking for something beyond cubicles and the nine-to-five rat race. With its well-educated population and high-speed broadband access, Golden is attracting knowledge-based workers and teleworkers who bring new dimensions to the area’s economy.

“Take advantage of our high-speed broadband infrastructure to build an Internet-based business or connect to the office network from home,” said McCrimmon. “Imagine taking a break from your business to hit the slopes for a couple of hours of snowboarding.”

Low development charges: All-season tourism provides Golden’s vibrant downtown businesses with a steady stream of customers looking for a diverse selection of retail, dining and entertainment experiences. Combine this with the affordability of downtown real estate and Golden presents a clear opportunity for aspiring business owners interested in creating unique shopping or dine-and-drink experiences.

Tourism product development: This is a growing industry in Golden, fuelled by the presence of Kicking Horse Mountain Resort. Golden continues to attract people looking to work in the tourism sector, from extreme sports enthusiasts interested in a ski resort job to entrepreneurs who want to start their own tourism business.