Community Economic Development Committee

Help us build Bowen's Community Economic Development Plan

Bowen Island Municipality has restarted work on a new community economic development plan that will help ensure an island economy that is diverse, sustainable, innovative, and serves the needs of residents, businesses, and visitors.

Funded by the provincial Rural Dividend Fund, this project will “examine short and long-term issues, needs, and opportunities to enhance existing and new businesses and associated employment complementary to objectives of the Bowen Official Community Plan.”

We encourage all Bowen Island residents, businesses, and community members to have their say on the economic future of our community. Get involved!

Bowen Island Municipality is using CitizenLab as a consistent and useful platform to encourage and support public input. Please click here to quickly and easily create an account, so you can be informed of upcoming activities and easily have your say.

If you don't want to participate on Citzenlab, you may provide your feedback by e-mail to Stef Shortt, Community Economic Development Liaison at sshortt@bimbc.ca, or by mail to 981 Artisan Lane, Bowen Island, V0N1G2. A summary of the engagement plan may be found here: BIM Community Economic Development Plan - Public Engagement (PDF).

Phases One and Two of CED Plan Public Engagement Complete!

Phase One: Community Survey

Phase One of the Public Engagement Plan comprised a survey that contained 13 themes which had been pulled from the CED Plan Findings Report. Here is a link to the survey (now closed): Community Economic Development Plan Questionnaire (MS Word). 185 residents completed the survey which included both rated questions and extensive room for explanation. The H&K Team generated an informative summary assessment which may be found here: Summary of Survey Results.

Phase Two: Focus Groups

The H&K Team generated five topics to inform as many Focus Groups with the following cross-cutting priorities threaded in: Housing, environmental stewardship, economic leakage (off-island spending), training & education and demonstration projects. You may find background information in the following topic papers:

  1. Commercial and Industrial Sector
  2. Health and Wellness Sector
  3. Knowledge Sector and Digital Economy
  4. Food Sector
  5. Stategic Tourism and the Arts

Approximately 50 Bowen Islanders participated in the Focus Groups which ran via Zoom between May 12th and 19th. The sessions facilitator asked participants the following questions:

  • Why is this sector important to Bowen?
  • Name a Bowen success story.
  • How does this sector relate to the cross-cutting priorities?
  • Share a "Big Idea".

Answers were collected on post-it notes and will be used to inform the next step of public engagement.

Up Next - Phase Three: Digital Town Hall - Wednesday, June 23, 2021 via Zoom

On Wednesday, June 23 at 7:00pm there will be a Digital Town Hall wherein Bowen Islanders will be presented with a summary of the first two phases of engagement, along with themes informing plan development and comments by three panel experts. Attendees will be invited to ask questions and provide comments on proposed next steps. Register here.

How were the topics for the Focug Groups and Town Hall determined?

In March of 2020, Council received a Phase 1  Findings Report for this project based on research including existing BIM plans, surveys and studies, along with census data, comparator community research, and other references. Based on this report, in January 2021 our H&K consultants created an online survey featuring 13 themes. 185 Bowen Islanders completed the survey (link to survey summary). From the input gathered, five topic areas to focus on were identified, along with five cross-cutting priorities. Each topic was briefly summarized in a backgrounder provided to participants prior to the 90-minute online Focus Group. After analyzing the comments from the Focus Groups, our consultants determined that the next engagement event, the Digital Town Hall, would focus on three areas that particularly needed further exploration: Responsible Tourism, Light Industry, and open-ended feedback-gathering from participants on their priorities. Substantial time for questions and comments from residents on their priorities will also be a part of this Town Hall. Find more project information on the CEDC page. 

Ongoing Engagement Opportunities: Citizen Lab

Go to Citizen Lab at any time to share your ideas on community economic development on Bowen Island. 

FAQs for this project can be found here.

 

*********************************************************

Business Search

Looking for a business email or phone number? Click here: Business Search.

Grant Opportunities

Jobs and Growth Fund in Western Canada

Rural Islands Gift Certificate Program

Customers: Purchase Gift Certificates Online

Businesses: Register your Business 

Registration is free for businesses. Register for the online gift certificate and donation program here. For more information on registration, please contact: support@islandcomeback.ca. 

 

 

Message from Bowen Businesses

Bowen businesses would like to share the following message with the community:

 

You may download posters here:

 

Resources 

 

Community Economic Development Committee (CEDC)

Purpose of the Committee:

To facilitate Bowen Island community economic development and provide advice to Council about economic development for Bowen Island.

Committee Members:

  • Vaune Kolber, Chair
  • Rod Marsh, Vice Chair
  • Lieven Callewaert
  • Kiersten Enemark
  • Marcus Ewart-Johns
  • Sat Pandher
  • Kiley Redhead
  • Ed Wachtman
  • Jody Lorenz, Tourism Bowen Island
  • Jami Scheffer, The Hearth 
  • Councillor Alison Morse
  • Councillor Maureen Nicholson 
  • Stef Shortt, Staff Liaison (non-voting)

To contact the Economic Development Committee please email: cedc@bimbc.ca

Governing Documents:

Terms of Reference

Video Recordings:

BIM YouTube Channel

Agendas

Minutes

You may also find agendas, minutes and videos on the Committees webpage.

Click HERE to subscribe to our CEDC email list to receive information about engagement, grant and business development opportunities..

Business Licensing

On July 25, 2016, Council directed the EDC to include the development of recommendations for municipal business licensing in its 2017 Work Plan.

On October 18, 2018, EDC members provided a presentation to members of the business community regarding business licensing at the Fall Business Summit and received their feedback.

On November 27, 2017, the EDC presented its Business Licensing Feasibility Report to Council who directed staff to identify next steps and resources required for a business licensing program as a priority under Strategic Pillar F - Robust and Resilient Local Economy - of the 2018 Island Plan. Work on this project is ongoing. 

On January 23, 2018 EDC members provided a presentation to members of the business community regarding the implementation of business licensing at Business Summit and received their feedback.

Council asked staff to review the report and return with an analysis of the recommendations, and identified business licensing as a priority in the Island Plan.

In 2018, staff reported back to Council with a detailed analysis of the recommendations, including a proposed business licensing bylaw and a proposed implementation schedule.

Staff Report: July 13, 2018

Open House Display Boards: September 13, 2018

Communication Plan

Staff Report: September 24, 2018

Staff Report: October 1, 2018

The Business Licence Bylaw No. 465, 2018 was adopted on October 9, 2018, and will take effect on January 1, 2019.

A transition period was scheduled in early 2019 while the business licensing program is being set up. Municipal staff will begin accepting applications in January 2019.

During this time, staff will also be developing an online business directory that will be available for the public to find businesses on Bowen Island, and an online platform that will make applying and paying for business licences as simple as possible for businesses.

At the CEDC Annual Business Summit February 20, 2019, an update on the business license program was presented. 

For the most up-to-date information on business licenses, please go to this link.

Branding

In the Summer of 2014, the EDC Branding Subcommittee conducted a survey of visitors.

On October 1, 2014 the EDC presented their branding initiative to the Committee of the Whole:

On December 15, 2015, the EDC provided the following presentations to the Committee of the Whole: 

On January 25, 2016 Chris Staples of Rethink Solutions provided a branding presentation to Council:

On February 15, 2016, the EDC delivered a presentation of their branding research to the Committee of the Whole: 

On June 27, 2016 Chris Staples of Rethink Solutions provided a presentation to the Committee of the Whole:

Subsequently, on June 27, 2016, Council adopted the Community Brand.

On November 17, 2016, Chris Staples provided the following presentations to the Economic Development Committee:

Read a brief history of the Bowen Island Branding Initiative.

Public support for the brand story includes:

 

Events

2016 Building Bowen Island's Local Economy Workshop
(Co-Hosted by BIM EDC and the Ministry of Jobs, Tourism and Skills Training)

On March 31, 2016, in collaboration with the Minstry of Jobs, Tourism and Skills Training, the EDC hosted an all- workshop. Below are links to presentations and notes.

2016 EDC Business Summit 

On October 18, 2016 the EDC hosted an open meeting for Bowen businesses. Over 65 business owners were in attendance for a lively evening of discussion, small group exercises and networking. The following topics were presented:

Other information from the 2016 EDC Business Summit includes:

2018 EDC Business Summit

On Tuesday, January 23, 2018 the EDC hosted an open meeting for businesses. 

2019 CEDC Business Summit

On Tuesday, February 20, 2019, the CEDC hosted its annual business summit.

Work Plans and Annual Reports

Community Engagement

Surveys

Three surveys were conducted in 2014 and 2015:

Summits

Four Local Business Summits and Workshops were held in 2016, 2018 and 2019 (see Events tab above)

Conversations

The EDC holds regular Business Breakfasts with various sectors of the Bowen Island business community including:

  • Food Businesses (April 11, 2018): Notes
  • Retail Businesses (June 27, 2018): Notes
  • Trades (October 24, 2018): Notes

Committee Meetings

Most Economic Development Committee meetings are open to the public and are publicized on the BIM website. Special promotion will occur when a guest speaker has been invited to present or an EDC initiative is going before Council for approval.

Subcommittee Meetings

EDC members often form subcommittees to work on priority initiatives which are open to members of the community. If you are interested in participating in a subcommittee, please contact edc@bimbc.ca.

 

Publications

Publications

The Economic Development Committee has been involved in the production of several documents including:

Publications that inform the work of the EDC include:

Guest Speakers

The EDC often invites guest speakers series to present for the Committee and members of the public. These include:

Lindsay Bisschop, Ministry of Jobs, Tourism and Skills Training (2016)

Wes Regan, Community Economic Development Planner for the City of Vancouver (December 15, 2017)

Stephen Mikichich, Economic Development Manager, District of West Vancouver (April 20, 2018)

Councillor Silas White, Town of Gibsons (May 11, 2018)

Zarah Gale, Community Futures Sunshine Coast (June 8, 2018)

 

Reference: Bowen Island

The following is a list of resources specific to Bowen Island.

Reference: General

The following is a list of general resources regarding economic development.

Collaborative Projects

Bowen Business Navigators 

Free Service Sponsored by the Community Foundation Resiliency Fund and Bowen Island Municipality

The Bowen Business Navigators are part of the Community Economic Sustainability Assistance Project that aims to help our local economy thrive in a "new normal". Rod Marsh, CEDC Chair, and Vaune Kolber, CEDC Vice Chair, are offering free, one-to-one consultations to local businesses to help navigate the wide range of government and community resources available to assist businesses impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. The program was made possible by the support of the  Community Foundation Resiliency Fund and the Bowen Island Municipality.  Business owners can schedule an appointment by emailing: bowenbusinessnavigator@gmail.com.

DISCLAIMER: The guidance provided by this service is for general information purposes only. By using these no cost services, you accept any and all risks associated with your financial and business decisions and will rely on your own judgment or those of your own professional advisors. You also agree that you will not seek to recover any loss or damages from the individuals or Bowen Island Municipality arising from the use of these services. Any confidential information disclosed by the business will be kept anonymous.     

 

Business Continuity Planning

The BIM Emergency Program, BIM Community Econonic Development Committee, and Bowen Island Community Foundation collaborated to provide free Business Continuity training and follow-ups for essential services on Bowen Island. Please go to the Business Continuity Planning page of our Emergency Program to learn more.

Business Meet-Ups

Bowen Island Digital Meet Ups for Businesses (via Zoom)

In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, the CEDC Business Engagement Working Group began hosting weekly online sessions to support businesses. These Zoom meetings are called "Bowen Island Digital Meet Ups for Businesses" and were held every Wednesday morning at 9:30am. In response to the announcement of Phase 3 re-opening, the sessions were held monthly-ish, on Tuesdays at 9:00am until Fall of 2020.

To join in on these sessions, make sure you have the Zoom app downloaded and when you are ready to join, click this link: https://zoom.us/j/4243058374.

Heartfelt thanks to the CEDC subcommittee members who are hosting and coordinating this initiative, particularly Rod Marsh, Vaune Kolber, Natasha Vaz and Chris Corrigan. 

Recordings of each session will be posted on this page. Please see recordings and notes at the bottom of this page under the Business Meet-Up tab. We will also be posting resources that come from the provincial and federal levels of government here. If you would like to be added to the mailing list of Bowen businesses, please email Stef Shortt at sshortt@bimbc.ca.

 

Small Business BC: BC Marketplace

Tuesday, October 6, 2020 at 9:00am

End of summer touch base.

Tuesday, September 15, 2020

What has your experience of re-opening been?

Tuesday, July 14, 2020 at 9:00am

How are you Re-imagining your Bowen Business?

Wednesday, June 10, 2020 at 9:30am

Safety Plans and What are you Customers Saying About Re-opening?

Wednesday, June 3, 2020 at 9:30am

Re-opening, Buy Local, Branded Signage, and Advertising.

Wednesday, May 27, 2020 at 9:30am

Emergency Finance Update and What is a Safe Re-Opening for Bowen?

Wednesday, May 20, 2020 at 9:30am

BC's Restart Plan: What does it Mean for Bowen Businesses?

Wednesday, May 13, 2020 at 9:30am

What does our Business Comeback Look Like?

Wednesday, May 6, 2020 at 9:30am

Business Tools and Financial Supports

Wednesday, April 29, 2020

Food, Farm and Supply Chain

Wednesday, April 22, 2020 at 9:30am

What Will it Take For My Business to Recover?

Wednesday, April 15, 2020 at 9:30am

Hearing from Bowen Businesses: Adapting to Change

Wednesday, April 8, 2020 at 9:30am

Emergency Financial Support Programs from Federal and Provincial Governments

Wednesday, April 1, 2020 at 9:30am

Employment Insurance (EI) and Record of Employment Documents (ROEs)

Wednesday, March 25, 2020 at 9:30am 

Please take four minutes to complete our COVID-19 Business Survey.

CED Plan

Community Economic Development Plan

In November 2021 H & K Strategies were engaged to complete the final two phases of the plan: public engagement and plan writing. The draft CED Plan will go to Council for approval in September 2021.

Link to RFP: Due October 26, 2020 at 4:00pm

Grant Information

Community Futures Sunshine Coast - Bowen Island

Bowen Island is eligible to access resources and funding offered by Community Futures Sunshine Coast. Here is a link to the Regional Relief and Recovery Funding (RRRF) loans program application (loans of up to a maximum of $40,000 with 25% forgiveness available).

(Note: There are also informative resources linked in the documents provided under Meet Up summaries)

Last Updated on 2021-09-10 at 4:39 PM