A full in-house economic development office could be in place at the City of Nanaimo next spring.
Nanaimo council kick-started a three-part process at its meeting Monday to pull economic development in house.
At the same time, Kim Smythe, Greater Nanaimo Chamber of Commerce president and chief executive officer, announced his organization’s intent to create an economic opportunities task force as it fields an increasing number of inquiries about economic development and business opportunities.
Last December, city council made the decision to dissolve the arms-length Nanaimo Economic Development Corporation and replace it with a city economic development office and a commission led by Mayor Bill McKay.
This week, three months after the NEDC closed its doors, council supported a transition process, from a new steering committee to help with an economic development strategy to a transitional program and work to create an economic development department.
The committee, which could be up to 17 members, will give advice to council and staff on the strategy, a document that lays out direction on economic development and a plan of action. A consultant will also be hired.
McKay said his personal view has always been to put together a committee that creates the vision and then it could stand down. The economic development department is going to be able to function fine on its own, he said, adding that perhaps there’s a twice-yearly check in with the advisory committee to make sure the city is on focus and involved in new trends, which change quickly.
The city also plans to review of in-house economic development models, the city’s past economic development practices to ongoing support for initiatives, events, inquiries and partnership programs, a city report shows. Work will begin this summer on a business case for an economic development department.
Amrit Manhas, city economic development officer, said a full office could be in place as early as next spring, while a strategy will take up to a year.
McKay is excited.
“I’ve wanted to get this buggy moving for about four months now,” he said. “It’s a little slower than I expected, but I’d like to turn the other end and while we are saying we’re going to try and accomplish things by next spring I’d like to do it sooner. I’d like to be able to have this thing rolling with a strong mandate and vision by the end of the year.”
Smythe, who shared plans for a task force with council Monday, believes economic development is currently falling short and if he didn’t answer questions, for example, is afraid interested parties would begin to be lost.
It’s more frequent calls and increasingly large subject matter that’s behind the task force, which Smythe said will aim to identify, evaluate and match opportunities to “whomever can actualize these for the maximum positive economic impact in our community.”
Smythe told the News Bulletin economic development is not done on an individualized basis, and also that phone calls to the office may never decline. With a city strategy, the chamber will know what important roles the city plays and where it throws its weight to have the most value in the community.
“There will still be us, there will still be a port authority, an airport, a Community Futures, a BDC, all of these other players in the same pool and with the city getting back into it, that’s great, that’s one more player who will play a role,” he said.
He said the chamber will continue to build on collaborations in the community and will work with the city. The task force will be struck within six weeks.
McKay said the task force is great and the more minds to any project, the far greater reach created. The chamber will be offered a seat on the city committee, which will have sector representation and members from organizations like the Nanaimo Port Authority and Vancouver Island University.