When COVID-19 hit and upending local life and economies worldwide, Bowen Island Municipality paused work on its community economic development plan. Having received $100,000 from the Rural Dividend Fund the year before to create a long-term economic vision for the municipality, what the long-term would look like was thrown into question.
Now, as the hope of a COVIDless future grows with every vaccine injection, BIM is returning to the project.
BIM has recently hired Hill+Knowlton Strategies to coordinate and create the plan. “The project will examine short and long-term issues, needs, and opportunities to enhance existing and new businesses and associated employment,” said a BIM press release. “The goal is for the final plan to be comprehensive, easily understood, achievable, innovative and measurable, setting a safe and clear course as we emerge from the COVID-19 pandemic.”
Since a phase one report was done before COVID-19, the new consultants will see if the themes of the previous report have changed since the pandemic hit, indicated BIM’s communications coordinator Sophie Idsinga.
Local engagement is set to start this week on CitizenLab and include social media, email, ferry and other components.
"It is essential that we hear from community members who do not typically speak up,” said Mayor Gary Ander in the press release. “We’re aiming for an economic future that creates opportunities for everyone in the Bowen Island community to thrive.”
Completion is scheduled for September.
BIM will also be hiring part-time consultation ambassadors to spread the word about the project, said the press release.
