RuralBC SECRETARIAT REGIONAL OFFICES

Useful Links

Economic & Community Development Resources

Ministry of Small Business, Technology and Economic Development (STED)
http://www.gov.bc.ca/sted/
The Ministry of Small Business, Technology and Economic Development is dedicated to helping build a strong provincial economy that supports job creation and maximizes economic opportunities for citizens throughout the province. The Ministry facilitates economic growth and diversification of provincial and regional economies, wealth and job creation.

Invest British Columbia
http://www.investbc.com/
Invest British Columbia is a partnership of provincial, federal and local economic development organizations working together to expand business investment in British Columbia, Canada – the best place to do business on the west coast of North America.

Western Economic Diversification Canada (WED)
http://www.wd.gc.ca/eng/home.asp
Western Economic Diversification Canada works to strengthen western innovation, entrepreneurship and community economic development. We're building a stronger West in a stronger Canada.

Funding Sources For British Columbia Communities
 http://www.communityfutures.com/cms/Funding_Sources.2.0.html
http://www.civicinfo.bc.ca/18.asp
Find information about grant programs and funding sources.

Business Development Canada
 http://www.bdc.ca/
BDC provides Canadian businesses with flexible financing, affordable consulting services and venture capital. BDC works with entrepreneurs in all industries, with a focus on small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), to help businesses in their development projects, both local and global.

Export Development Canada (EDC)
http://www.edc.ca/english/index.htm
EDC provides innovative financing, insurance and bonding solutions to Canadian companies that export goods and services, or invest in other countries. We operate in 200 markets worldwide, including 130 emerging markets. We help Canadian enterprises - mainly small and medium sized - manage risk and capitalize on trade opportunities around the globe.

Community Futures BC
 http://www.communityfutures.ca/provincial/bc/index.html
Founded in 1992, Community Futures British Columbia was established to promote, coordinate and facilitate community economic development initiatives and to serve as a catalyst in promoting strong partnerships between key stakeholders involved in the community economic development process.

Small Business BC
http://www.smallbusinessbc.ca/
Small Business BC, a public and private sector collaboration, is the comprehensive Business Development Resource for people exploring opportunities, launching new ventures and growing existing businesses. At Small Business BC, you will find a knowledgeable and courteous staff, dedicated to effectively meeting your business information needs...

Industry Training Authority
http://www.itabc.ca/
This site is a useful source of information for current apprentices and their employers, as well as for those considering apprenticeship for their career or workforce development needs.

Canada Business – Services for Entrepreneurs
http://www.canadabusiness.ca
Canada Business is a government information service for businesses and start-up entrepreneurs in Canada.

Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade – Services for Businesses http://www.international.gc.ca/commerce/index.aspx
We help Canadian companies succeed internationally, promote investment and negotiate trade agreements.

Scientific Research and Experimental Development (SR&ED) Tax Incentive Program
http://www.cra-arc.gc.ca/txcrdt/sred-rsde/menu-eng.html
The SR&ED program is a federal tax incentive program, administered by the Canada Revenue Agency, that encourages Canadian businesses of all sizes, and in all sectors to conduct research and development in Canada.

Peterson Institute
http://www.petersoninstitute.org/
The Peter G. Peterson Institute for International Economics is a private, nonprofit, nonpartisan research institution devoted to the study of international economic policy. Since 1981 the Institute has provided timely and objective analysis of, and concrete solutions to, a wide range of international economic problems. It is one of the very few economics think tanks that are widely regarded as "nonpartisan" by the press and "neutral" by the US Congress, and it is cited by the quality media more than any other such institution.

Centre for Community Enterprise
http://www.cedworks.com/index.html
The Centre for Community Enterprise is a pre-eminent source of expertise and resources in starting and strengthening CED organizations, revitalizing communities, developing community-minded businesses, CED curriculum design and delivery, and publishing - including the quarterly CED magazine Making Waves. Check out these pages for details about training, technical assistance, research, and our other services and products.

The Community Resilience Manual http://www.cedworks.com/communityresilience01.html

Tools & Techniques for Community Recovery & Renewal http://www.cedworks.com/tools.html

Useful Resources & Information about BC

Welcome BC
http://www.welcomebc.ca/en/index.html
This website has all the information you need to discover what it's like to live in, work in and enjoy British Columbia.

A Guide to the BC Economy and Labour Market
http://www.guidetobceconomy.org/welcome.htm
A Guide to the BC Economy and Labour Market is an excellent source of information about historical and current trends, as well as the long-term outlook for the provincial economy and the labour market. The Guide will help you learn how industries have changed and what is expected in the future; you will also learn about trends in the workforce, industries, occupations, earnings, job locations and job outlooks.

British Columbia's Provincial Nominee Program http://www.aved.gov.bc.ca/provincialnominee/welcome.htm
The British Columbia Provincial Nominee Program (BC PNP) offers accelerated immigration for qualified skilled workers and experienced entrepreneurs who wish to settle in British Columbia (BC) and become permanent residents of Canada.

Work BC
http://www.workbc.ca/
Welcome to the WorkBC website, created by the BC Government to help make sure our province has the skilled workers we need for continued success in the world economy. Whether you're job hunting in BC, planning a career, or looking for background information on BC's job market, you've come to the right place. If you are an employer, you will find information on hiring, interviewing and keeping your employees.

NetworkBC
http://www.network.gov.bc.ca/
Network BC provides leadership and support for strategic use of telecommunications in British Columbia. Currently, Bridging the Digital Divide in rural and remote areas is a key focus.

BC Stats – Infoline
http://www.bcstats.gov.bc.ca/releases/infoline.asp
A weekly digest of recently released statistics and reports from BC Stats

BC | Asia Twinnings
http://www.bcasiatwinnings.gov.bc.ca/
The Initiative signals the Province’s recognition of the economic importance of the Asia-Pacific region, which is home to four of the world’s largest and most dynamic national economies. The four priority countries under the Initiative are China, Japan, India and South Korea.

Economic Development Associations & Organizations

Economic Development Association of BC (EDABC)
http://www.edabc.com/
The Economic Development Association of British Columbia (EDABC) is the leading provincial association of economic development practitioners and is dedicated to providing services that support the activities, profile and development of its members and their economic development goals.

Economic Developers Association of Canada (EDAC-ACDE)
http://www.edac.ca/
The Economic Developers Association of Canada's mission is to enhance the professional competence of Economic Development officers and ensure placement of qualified people in the field of Economic Development; to advance Economic Development as a distinct, recognized, and self-governing profession; and to contribute to Canada's economic well-being. EDAC is an eager partner with municipalities nation wide.

Council for the Advancement of Native Development Officers (CANDO)
http://www.edo.ca/home
CANDO is Aboriginal-controlled, community-based and membership driven, and is directed by a national regionally represented volunteer board of elected EDOs representing region of Canada. As a federally registered, non-profit society, CANDO has been instrumental in facilitating partnerships with EDOs, academics, Aboriginal leaders and senior corporate and government representatives. CANDO is unique because it is the only national organization that focuses on education and professional development for EDOs working in Aboriginal communities or organizations.

International Economic Development Council (IEDC)
http://www.iedconline.org/
The International Economic Development Council (IEDC) is a non-profit membership organization dedicated to helping economic developers do their job more effectively and raising the profile of the profession. When we succeed, our members create more high-quality jobs, develop more vibrant communities, and generally improve the quality of life in their regions.

Pacific Northwest Economic Development Council (PNEDC)
http://www.pnedc.net/
The Pacific Northwest Economic Development Council is a mulit-state/provincial council dedicated to educating it's members through newsletters, articles and conferences on economic activities that affect the region.

Pacific Northwest Regional Economic Conference (PNREC)
http://www.pnrec.org/
The Pacific Northwest Regional Economic Conference is a non-profit organization established to promote research and education on the economy of the Northwest states and western Canada.

The Canadian Council for Aboriginal Business (CCAB)
http://www.ccab.com/
The Canadian Council for Aboriginal Business (CCAB) is a national non-profit organization that provides tools and resources to access Aboriginal people as partners, employees, and customers. We promote the full participation of Aboriginal people and communities in Canada's economy.