The following article was to be discussed by Directors but because of time constraints – moved to a meeting in the future.

THE ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT SERVICE The creation of a (Sub) Regional Economic Development service may be undertaken under section 796(1) of the Local Government Act.

The Board of Directors, on 17 July 2003, did establish a Regional Economic Development Service. Bylaw 2196, being a bylaw of the Regional District of Okanagan Similkameen, provided the authority to promote economic development, including without limitation the promotion of tourism and grants for the promotion of economic development.

The maximum annual amount to be requisitioned was $100,000.00 and the Bylaw expired on December 31, 2003. A Regional Economic Development Service could be re-established if all member municipalities and Electoral Areas agree to participate. Previous experience, however, would seem to indicate a lack of support for creating and financing a regional economic development service.

Although it is considered “best practice” to provide economic development services regionally, there are a variety of factors that make implementation a challenge in jurisdictions throughout British Columbia.

Some of these include: • Perceived lack of local benefits from individual participants in regional economic development. • Loss of control and decision making on economic development matters at the local level. • Lack of a shared and unified vision for regional economic development; and, perhaps • Mistrust amongst funding partners.

Advantages • A (sub) regional vision and approach to economic development; • The ability to develop and implement a (sub) regional economic development plan; and • Ability to fund dedicated staff and financial economic development resources.

Disadvantages • The Regional District has not historically been able to provide an acceptable regional or subregional governance model for an economic development service; • A regional economic development service establishment bylaw would be required. All participants would have to agree on a single regional vision and approach to economic development that benefits all participating communities and electoral areas. • There is currently no mechanism for the Regional District to partner on a regional program, project or activity, although we have funded the film commission from General Government, and we did put a lump sum into an economic development reserve that has been used to fund economic-development related activity. Being discussed Thursday at RDOS