COMMUNITY ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT
Community Economic Development (CED) is a participatory process by which communities initiate and generate their own solutions to economic problems. CED leadsto positive, concrete changes in communities by: creating employment; stabilizing local economies; contributing to the health of the natural environment; building on local resources and capacities; and increasing community control.
CFMW is involved in a number of CED initiatives that create new economic development opportunities, including the Regional Economic Diversification Initiative and the West Coast Community Adjustment Program.
Regional Economic Diversification Initiative of BC
Regional Economic Diversification Initiative of BC (REDI-BC) is a joint initiative between Western Economic Diversification Canada – BC Region and Community Futures British Columbia. The initiative will be in place until March 31, 2012, and will provide $3 million to support economic development projects in rural BC.
West Coast Community Adjustment Program
West Coast Community Adjustment Program (WestCCAP) is a federal initiative aimed at increasing economic activity and improving the quality of life in British Columbia’s fishing-dependant coastal communities.
WestCCAP's goals are to enable collaboration and create partnerships, leading to sustainable, long-term economic development and diversification in these coastal communities.
Western Economic Diversification Canada (WD) will implement the fund in the four western provinces, investing $306 million to help communities reduce the short-term impacts of the economic downturn. The primary goal of CAF is immediate job creation. British Columbia's share of this funding will be $125.2 million.
For more information please visit: Western Economic Diversification – Community Adjustment Fund.
Western Economic Diversification Canada (WD) will invest almost $54 million - the western portion of a $175 million federal contribution that has been allocated on a regional per capita basis - in recreational infrastructure projects in the four western provinces. A portion of the remaining national $325 million will be allocated in Western Canada based on applications submitted to WD.
For more information please visit: Western Economic Diversification – Recreational Infrastructure Canada.
success stories
Ragged Edge Community Network
Ragged Edge Community Network Society (RECN) is a Non-Profit Society working to provide rural and remote local businesses and residences on the North Island with an opportunity to access fast, reliable High Speed Wireless Internet. RECN services a number of rural and remote communities including Sointula, Hyde Creek, Holberg, Quatsino, Hecate Cove, Coal Harbour, Quatsino First Nations, Zeballos, Ehattesaht First Nations and surrounding areas.
Community Futures Mount Waddington received the 2008 Minister’s Award for Excellence and Innovation in recognition for assistance and support of the Ragged Edge Community Network (RECN) high-speed Internet project. The federal Government’s Minister’s Award annually recognizes creative initiatives that contribute to relevant economic development goals in each of the provinces.
Community Futures Mount Waddington was also recognized with the "Projects of Excellence" Award from the Community Futures Network of Canada at their May 2009 National Conference. For the National Conference a video was developed demonstrating the work and accomplishment of this award winning initiative.
