An economic development and investment readiness workshop for local government and First Nations officials will take place today in Chilliwack.

Sponsored by the Ministry of Jobs, Tourism and Skills Training, the full-day event is part of a series of workshops that have been tailor-made to provide participants with training and tips specific to their community needs. They have been designed for elected local government and First Nation officials and their staff and will include training related to a full range of economic development activities, including attracting investment and supporting new and existing ventures. Workshops will be facilitated by the Economic Development Association of B.C.

The first workshop for local leaders was held in Burns Lake in November 2012. Additional workshops will be held in these regions and communities in the coming weeks:

Mainland / Southwest: Chilliwack
Feb. 14

Vancouver Island: Port McNeill
Feb. 21

Thompson Okanagan: Kamloops
Feb. 25

North Coast: Terrace
March 6

Cariboo: 100 Mile House
March 18

Northeast: Fort St. John
March 21

Kootenays: Kimberley
March 25

Kootenays: Castlegar
March 27

Cariboo: Prince George
April 11

'Canada Starts Here: The BC Jobs Plan' includes a commitment to work with communities and build their capacity so that all regions of the province can take advantage of investment opportunities. The workshops are part of an Enhanced Community Economic Support Initiative, which also includes an online suite of resources and tools that will be available this spring to assist communities in attracting business and investment.

With five regional economic collaboratives, the Province is also bringing communities together to identify and advance their unique economic assets and competitive advantages.

Quote:

Minister of Jobs, Tourism and Skills Training and Minister Responsible for Labour Pat Bell -

"We are committed to helping communities throughout the province foster economic growth and reach their full potential. By providing local leaders with additional resources, in workshops and online, we can ensure every region can capitalize on their assets to support job creation."

Learn More:

For additional information on this initiative, please visit the ministry's website at: www.gov.bc.ca/jtst/

For more details about the Economic Development Association of British Columbia, visit: http://www.edabc.com/

Check out OpportunitiesBC to find investment opportunities throughout the province: www.opportunitiesbc.ca

Media Contact:

Media Relations
Ministry of Jobs, Tourism and Skills Training and Responsible for Labour
250 387-2799