With a mission to inform, empower, celebrate and advocate for British Columbia's current and aspiring business leaders, BCBusiness go behind the headlines and bring readers face to face with the key issues and people driving business in B.C.
Issue link: http://digital.canadawide.com/i/1526186
INVEST in BC 2 0 2 4 7 L E T T E R F R O M T H E P R E S I D E N T A N D C E O , B C E C O N O M I C D E V E L O P M E N T A S S O C I AT I O N L E T T E R F R O M T H E C H A I R , B C E C O N O M I C D E V E L O P M E N T A S S O C I AT I O N We're Open for Business BCEDA Supports Communities W elcome to the 2024 edition of Invest in BC, the official publication of the British Columbia Economic Development Association (BCEDA). Our goal is to provide you with a concise yet informative overview of British Columbia, encouraging you to explore our province's diverse investment opportunities. This magazine is designed to deliver valuable insights into the eight economic regions of British Columbia and highlight the latest trends in our economy. We encourage you to use this information as a starting point and delve deeper into what B.C. offers. Having travelled across our province and witnessed the remarkable efforts of local and Indigenous governments, I am proud to say that British Columbia boasts a strong and diverse economy with unparalleled opportunities. Despite global challenges, our economic momentum remains robust, thanks to our talented workforce, high quality of life, openness to newcomers and resilience in times of crisis. Our association has grown to encompass over 500 members representing a broad spectrum of communities, Indigenous groups, businesses, chambers of commerce, Crown corporations, tourism organizations, financial institutions, government agencies, NGOs and educational institutions, all dedicated to building a prosperous British Columbia. We aim to bring the right people together at the right time to forge valuable partnerships and promote growth. As the leading provincial association of economic development practitioners in British Columbia, we offer services that help member communities expand and attract new businesses and pursue strategic infrastructure investments, land-use planning and community enhancement. British Columbia is renowned for its unparalleled quality of life. We invite you to discover the endless possibilities our province has to offer. British Columbia's only limit is your imagination. We are proud to work alongside the Province of B.C. in supporting existing businesses and showcasing B.C.'s opportunities to investors worldwide. Investing in B.C. is an opportunity you won't want to miss. Please feel free to contact me, my staff or any of our members to discuss anything related to economic development in British Columbia. Dale Wheeldon, President and CEO, British Columbia Economic Development Association A s the chair of the board of the British Columbia Economic Development Association (BCEDA), I am delighted to present the 2024 edition of Invest in BC magazine. Developed in partnership with Canada Wide Media and BC Business, this publication showcases the vibrant opportunities across British Columbia. BCEDA represents over 500 economic development professionals throughout the province, all dedicated to supporting community growth and development. British Columbia offers many investment opportunities, whether you are interested in natural resources, energy, technology, food production, tourism, education, transportation or shipping. Our province is renowned for its highly skilled workforce, low corporate tax rates, world-class infrastructure and services and friendly, inclusive communities of all sizes. Municipalities, regional districts and Indigenous communities collectively invest over $100 million annually in economic development and tourism programming. BCEDA enhances this investment by providing economic development professionals with essential marketing tools, professional development programs and resource materials. In May of 2024, BCEDA proudly announced the Certified Economic Development Professional of British Columbia (CEDP.BC) program to establish a standard for ongoing professional development in the province, and to help provide the tools and support for today's economic development. We are particularly proud to have established Canada's first Economic Resiliency and Recovery Program. In the aftermath of wildfires and floods, BCEDA volunteers have actively supported communities by identifying immediate business needs, connecting business owners with resources and aiding in economic recovery planning. Our initiatives have gained global recognition, with our volunteers assisting in disaster-affected areas across Canada, the U.S., and other countries. Economic Development Officers (EDOs) are experts in their communities. As you explore this magazine, I encourage you to contact the EDOs in any community that interests you. They can provide detailed information about local business environments, upcoming investments and ongoing efforts to create strong and sustainable communities. BCEDA is dedicated to assisting economic developers, local, regional and Indigenous communities, businesses and the government of B.C. to build a robust and sustainable economy through education, collaboration and partnerships. Thank you for your continued support. Together, we are creating a prosperous and dynamic future for British Columbia. Warm regards, Brian Coombes, Chair of the Board, British Columbia Economic Development Association Official Publication of the BC Economic Development Association in special partnership with BCBusiness.