Port Edward is laying out the welcome mat for businesses by kicking off public engagement sessions to draw interest and investment.
“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 of Port Edward hosted a public roundtable at the local community hall, bringing together over 30 residents, city staff, councillors, and the mayor. The event featured brainstorming sessions designed to gather direct input from local people on their needs, priorities, and ideas for economic development.
Attendees were seated in groups of about seven, with each table asked to suggest changes they’d like to see in the community. Clear patterns emerged; some of their everyday needs included restaurants, cafés, a gas station, and a local grocery store– essential amenities the district currently lacks.
Residents also expressed interest in having more outdoor and recreational options, suggesting walking and hiking trails, soccer and volleyball fields, and even pickleball, like the options available in nearby Prince Rupert.
Infrastructure needs were also highlighted, including more senior housing, expanded recycling opportunities and expanded public transportation. Many also called for more community events, such as carnivals and festivals, with specific praise for the Intertidal Music Festival at the North Pacific Cannery, which will be returning in July this year.
Thomson noted that Port Edward is currently home to around 470 residents, a decline from the days before the pulp mill shut down. She said council members often reminisce about a time when the district was livelier, filled with families and the sound of children playing in the streets.
“We need people,” said the director. People are what keep schools open and the town alive, without them, everything fades, she noted.
“We want to hear what the community needs directly from the residents and take it back to council. This will help streamline our strategic plan to meet people’s needs. We need to build from the ground up, not the other way around,” she added.
“There were no bad ideas today”, said Port Edward Mayor Knut Bjorndal while addressing the gathering. These are suggestions that the council will be working on until their term is up.
On Thursday, April 17, approximately 38 Prince Rupert business owners and entrepreneurs gathered for a roundtable with the District of Port Edward, held in collaboration with the Prince Rupert Chamber of Commerce at the Highliner Hotel in Prince Rupert.
During the event, the District aimed to better understand what Rupert-based businesses would need in order to open a branch or launch operations in Port Edward.
The discussion focused on reducing barriers to doing business, exploring potential incentives and supports to help companies thrive, and identifying ways to grow Port Edward into a stronger hub for commerce.
Thomson says businesses’ predominant need was that the District improve its infrastructure. They also bid for convenience-oriented amenities such as restaurants and cafés.
“The businesses are open to it. They are willing to come there. They are willing to partner with us. So if we invest in the infrastructure, the businesses will come. That is what majority of the feedback was pulled down to,” said Thomson.
The District of Port Edward highlights several advantages for potential businesses, including more sunny days compared to nearby Prince Rupert, while still benefiting from close proximity to the region’s industrial hubs. Utilities and property taxes are relatively affordable, and the District offers ample open land at reasonable prices. It is a blank slate for commercial development, they say.
In addition, efforts are underway to boost tourism and outdoor recreation, with plans for new facilities such as a kayak park to attract more visitors and enhance community amenities.
Thomson says the District will work to integrate insights from both engagement sessions to align priorities and attract businesses that reflect the community’s needs. It will be an ongoing process, with outcomes expected to take shape in the coming months.
“The community is our lifeline. We don’t want to lose them,” said the director.
On Thursday, April 24, the District will host a closed event with First Nations communities to understand their priorities and exchange ideas on local business development.
