Economic Development Services
Last updated on January 3, 2024Specialized government staff are available throughout B.C. to provide free and accessible economic development services to local governments, Indigenous communities, businesses and economic development agencies. Based on the community's needs and strengths, services may include support for:
- Economic diversification and strategic planning
- Wayfinding funding programs and economic development tools
- Business retention and expansion activities
- Land development, investment attraction and investor tours
- Sector-specific development
- Partnership development and convening economic-focused or labour-related groups
- Support for community recovery from economic shocks caused by the loss of a major employer or natural disasters
See below map and contact information to find the Regional Economic Operations contact in your region:
Contact Information
Kathy Lachman | Director
Office: 250-739-8293
Email: Kathy.Lachman@gov.bc.ca
Anastasia Chwist | Community Adjustment Manager
Office: 236-478-1400
Email: Anastasia.Chwist@gov.bc.ca
Peggy Grant | Project Administrator
Office: 250-739-8346
Email: Peggy.Grant@gov.bc.ca
Northern Region Contact List
Marc von der Gonna | Director | Northern Region
Office: 778-702-1416
Email: Marc.vonderGonna@gov.bc.ca
Emily Colombo | Regional Manager | Cariboo/Central Coast
Office: 236-713-2248
Email: Emily.Colombo@gov.bc.ca
Tamara Danshin | Regional Manager | Northeast
Office: 250-261-2091
Email: Tamara.Danshin@gov.bc.ca
Cheryl Gilbert | Regional Manager | North Coast
Office: 778-405-1715
Email: Cheryl.Gilbert@gov.bc.ca
Dave Christie | Regional Manager | Bulkley-Nechako/North Central
Office: 778-405-1715
Email: Dave.Christie@gov.bc.ca
Isher Lehal | Regional Manager
Office: 250-302-3575
Email: Isherpal.Lehal@gov.bc.ca
Vancouver Island/Sunshine Coast Region Contact List
Kathy Lachman | Director | Vancouver Island/Sunshine Coast Region
Office: 250-739-8293
Email: Kathy.Lachman@gov.bc.ca
Cheryl McLay | Regional Manager | Central South Vancouver Island/Gulf Islands
Office: 250-739-8223
Email: Cheryl.McLay@gov.bc.ca
Geoff Crawford | Regional Manager | Central Vancouver Island
Office: 250-850-1899
Email: Geoff.Crawford@gov.bc.ca
Darlene Clark | Policy Analyst
Office: 250-312-6759
Email: Darlene.Clark@gov.bc.ca
Southern Region Contact List
Gerri Brightwell | Director | Southern Region
Office: 236-527-2021
Email: Gerri.Brightwell@gov.bc.ca
Myles Bruns | Regional Manager | Thompson/Central Okanagan/Shuswap
Office: 250-312-7322
Email: Myles.Bruns@gov.bc.ca
Larry Olson | Regional Manager | South Okanagan/Similkameen Boundary
Office: 250-488-0934
Email: Larry.Olson@gov.bc.ca
Wendy Koh | Regional Manager | Lower Mainland/Fraser Valley
Office: 778-572-3015
Email: Wendy.Koh@gov.bc.ca
Jen Comer | Regional Manager | Central Kootenay/Revelstoke
Office: 778-405-5013
Email: Jen.Comer@gov.bc.ca
Alex Denis | Regional Manager | East Kootenay
Office: 778-698-9298
Email: Alex.Denis@gov.bc.ca
There are many organizations, regional trusts and Crown corporations dedicated to the economic development of B.C.