Strategies for growth

The District of Invermere is actively supporting community and economic growth

Gerry Taft is halfway through his third term as mayor of the District of Invermere. — Marie Milner photo

As a business owner himself, Gerry Taft, mayor of the District of Invermere, understands the challenges and the advantages of doing business in the Columbia Valley. He said that the municipalities in the Columbia Valley have been working on a strategy to identify and attract people who can create their own employment. For example, independent professionals including architects, engineers, accountants and other entrepreneurs are very welcome in the valley.

“For most young families, the jobs and careers that are available in this area might not be enough to motivate them to move from the area where they’re settled,” said Taft. “The municipalities in the Columbia Valley—Invermere, Canal Flats and Radium Hot Springs—as well as areas F and G, have been working on what we’re calling a Permanent Resident Attraction and Retention Strategy.

“We’re popular for tourists and second homeowners, and we want to attract people who want the valley to be their year-round home.”

Construction of a new, multi-use community hall is now underway in Invermere, with space for a new library and the potential to host large-scale social functions and business conferences as well as movies, concerts, theatre productions and educational seminars. When completed, this new facility will be a hub for activities, putting to rest any concerns visitors may have that Invermere might be just a little too quiet in the winter months.

“With the new facility and with new programs and cultural offerings, we’ll be able to create some vibrancy and address those concerns,” Taft said.

Taft commented that the small towns in the East Kootenay are supportive of small businesses and that the costs to open a business in a small town are comparatively low. He also noted that in a tourism-driven economic area like the Columbia Valley, businesses need to have a strategy for accessing their markets all year round.

The District of Invermere is encouraging more economic development and supporting a move to market the Columbia Valley as a whole.