BC Economic Development award winners for 2022 announced

PENTICTON, B.C., April 26, 2022 ­- The British Columbia Economic Development Association (BCEDA) and FortisBC teamed up once again to announce the winners of the 2022 BC Economic Development Awards at the BCEDA’s annual awards presentation held virtually this morning.

These awards recognize BCEDA members for outstanding work in supporting their local economies, and making a meaningful difference in their communities. For over 30 years, the BCEDA has given these awards to individuals and groups who have dedicated their time to community-based economic development. BCEDA is pleased to recognize partnerships, agreements and activities that advance shared reconciliation work with a new Economic Reconciliation award category.

Congratulations to the following 2022 BC Economic Development Award winners:

Economic Reconciliation Award
The BCEDA Economic Reconciliation Award includes submissions for partnerships, agreements and activities that advance shared reconciliation work.

Winner (community less than 20,000 population): Neskonlith Indian Band for Chase Harper Collaborative Community Management Plan (CCMP).

Winner (community more than 20,000 population): National Consortium for Indigenous Economic Dev. & TRICORP for Indigenous ACE Program.

Economic Development Marketing Innovation Award
The BCEDA Marketing Innovation Award recognizes achievement in marketing initiatives that support economic development.

Winner (community less than 20,000 population): Village of Ashcroft for Experience Ashcroft Pocket Guide.
Winner (community more than 20,000 population): City of Terrace for Northwest BC Workforce and Resident Attraction Initiative. 

Community Project Award
The BCEDA Community Project Award recognizes an organization that has implemented various economic development initiatives that provide economic benefits to a community or region.

Winner (community less than 20,000 population): Regional District Central Kootenay for Coordinated Leadership: Community Led Economies of Scale.
Winner (community more than 20,000 population): Chilliwack Economic Resource Network for Workforce Connection – The Power of People.

Economic Recovery and Resiliency Award
This category includes submissions for programs, activities, and projects that represent a successful recovery initiative from natural and man-made disasters, including COVID-19, as well as submissions that represent replicable measures undertaken to promote long term resiliency and/or sustainability from future disasters. 

Winner (community less than 20,000 population): Regional District Central Kootenay for Coordinated Leadership: Community Led Economies of Scale.

Winner (community more than 20,000 population): Abbotsford Chamber of Commerce for Abbotsford Disaster Relief Fund/Farmers & Business Stream.

Chairman’s Award
The Chairman’s Award is presented annually to recognize a member of BCEDA who has made a significant contribution towards the profession of economic development as well as the function, goals and/or mandate of the BC Economic Development Association. 

The 2022 BCEDA Chairman’s Award is presented to Cheryl McLay, Regional Manager Vancouver Island/Coast with the Ministry of Jobs, Economic Recovery and Innovation. Cheryl is an incredible resource for every Economic Development Officer and community on Vancouver Island and for her counterparts throughout the province. Through her weekly check-ins, Cheryl is readily available to assist with problem solving or moving an opportunity forward.

“As economic recovery continues to be in the forefront, we couldn’t be more proud of the work done by BC’s Economic Developers. This year, we received a number of nominations put forward by communities and economic development professionals showcasing the creativity and smart strategies that encourage economic recovery and resiliency in their region,” said Dale Wheeldon, president and CEO at BCEDA. “This year’s theme is Economic Reconciliation and Resiliency: A Future for BC, and all of the nominated projects are great examples of the partnerships required to move BC forward. It is always very difficult for our judges to narrow down the winners and my sincere thanks goes out to everyone who submitted projects for consideration this year. Their efforts to build resilient communities, and thereby a resilient, inclusive provincial economy, are to be congratulated.”

The awards are presented and sponsored by FortisBC.

“We’d like to congratulate all the winners and thank them for putting their energy into keeping B.C strong and resilient as we overcome the challenges related to the pandemic,” said Vanessa Connolly, director, community and Indigenous relations at FortisBC. “In particular, we appreciate those of you who have continued to advance Reconciliation with Indigenous Peoples in your economic recovery efforts.”

For more information about the BCEDA and the summit, visit: bceda.ca 

Contact:
Dale Wheeldon, President and CEO, BCEDA
T: (604) 819-3809
E: [email protected]

About BCEDA
The BC Economic Development Association (BCEDA) is the leading professional association of economic development practitioners in the Province of BC.  BCEDA currently has over 450 members from communities throughout the province. BCEDA provides services that help member communities grow and expand new and existing businesses, attract new business investments, and work towards strategic infrastructure investment, land use planning, and community enhancement. BCEDA services include an annual summit and networking event, educational and professional development opportunities, public relations, advisory services and resources and partnering with communities and the Province of BC to market British Columbia for business investment.

About FortisBC
FortisBC Inc. and FortisBC Energy Inc. do business as FortisBC, a regulated utility focused on providing safe and reliable energy, including natural gas, electricity, renewable gas, propane and thermal energy solutions. FortisBC employs approximately 2,550 British Columbians and serves over 1.2 million customers in 135 B.C. communities. FortisBC owns and operates two liquefied natural gas storage facilities and four regulated hydroelectric generating plants, approximately 7,335 kilometres of transmission and distribution power lines, and approximately 50,182 kilometres of natural gas transmission and distribution pipelines. FortisBC is indirectly, wholly owned by Fortis Inc., a leader in the North American regulated electric and gas utility industry. FortisBC Inc. and FortisBC Energy Inc. use the FortisBC name and logo under license from Fortis Inc. For further information on FortisBC, visit fortisbc.com.