The District of Port Edward is ramping up efforts to grow its local economy by launching a series of public engagement initiatives.
The sessions are aimed at attracting new businesses and supporting existing ones.
"We currently have 35 registered businesses. We'd like to up that. That's why we're doing this outreach, and part of that is we want to develop our downtown...But we need businesses to be able to do that," said Daphne Thomson, Port Edward's director of legislative services.
On Tuesday, April 15, the District will host a community roundtable at 6 p.m. at Port Edward's community hall to hear directly from residents and local businesses about their needs and priorities. The event is open to all.
On Thursday, April 17, the District, in collaboration with the Prince Rupert Chamber of Commerce, is hosting a business breakfast and discussion at the Highliner Hotel, starting at 7:45 a.m. The conversation will focus on reducing barriers to doing business, exploring incentives and supports to help companies thrive, and discussing how to grow Port Edward into a stronger hub for commerce.
The morning will also allow time for networking and a forum for attendees to share ideas and feedback directly with the District. This open event especially encourages current business owners and aspiring entrepreneurs to join.
"We are ready to engage with our community and make it a better place for them," said Thomson.
The director of legislative services shared several advantages to setting up shop in Port Ed.
"We have sun," she said with a laugh. The community enjoys more sunny days than Prince Rupert while still being strategically located near the city to access its various industrial hubs.
The utilities and taxes in Port Ed. are also quite affordable, she noted.
"And we have land. We have open space, so we are a blank slate," said Thomson. The District believes reasonable land prices and potential for commercial development can be desirable for business owners.
The District is also working on attracting more visitors by improving its tourism and outdoor recreational growth through building facilities such as a kayak park.
On Thursday, April 24, the District will host a closed event with First Nations communities to exchange ideas on local business development.
Thomson states that such outreach and engagement efforts have been part of Port Ed.'s Strategic Plan since the council was elected in 2022. However, these endeavours encountered challenges in 2024.
"We've had a massive administrative staff turnover at the end of last year, which caused a very unstable feeling within the community," said the director.
Port Edward saw a change in leadership in October, welcoming Mark Brown as the new chief administrative officer after Todd Francis resigned. The District also introduced a new chief financial officer, Pat Sibilleau, and Thomson as deputy corporate officer.
"We have now just picked up where we left off and are ready to engage with our community and make it a better place for them. Now that our staff is in a better position, we'd like to reach out and hear what the residents want, which will notify us to do better and serve them better," said Thomson.
