Developing Lands and Community Amenities
Last updated on June 24, 2020Land use planning can improve the economy of a community and create a clear path forward for developing community amenities. Some examples of this are building recreation centres or transportation networks. This section shares stories of land development work around B.C. and gives you tools to use in your community.
From Raspberries to Revenue: Abbotsford International Airport
In 1997, Abbotsford International Airport’s largest income by line item was the modest revenue from raspberry farm operators located on the property. Fast-forward 22 years and the airport is using a company-first model to attract businesses, and is now poised to host a record-setting one million passengers in 2019!
A High-Tech Factory Brings Back Jobs to a Small Community on the Site of a Former Mill – Canal Flats
With the closure of the town’s largest employer, many Canal Flats residents were forced to leave to find work. Now, a partnership between the Village and two innovative companies has seen the former sawmill site revamped and high-paying jobs brought back to the community.
Cannabis Leads a Town’s Economic Revitalization – Smiths Falls, ON
The town of Smiths Falls, Ontario has shown that by investing in infrastructure and working with prospective investors on finding the right building and zoning, a local economy hit hard by job losses can recover and thrive.
Attracting Development of Brownfield Sites through a Multi-Faceted Strategy – Langley City
Langley City created a brownfield redevelopment strategy that attracted investment and generated civic and environmental benefits, in partnership with the development community. With a recipe for successful brownfield redevelopment in hand, Langley City generated tax revenue and cost savings while preserving greenfield sites and containing urban sprawl.
Creating Opportunity for Small Business through Zoning and Permitting – Port Moody
The City of Port Moody is home to Brewers Row – a unique collection of microbreweries in an active industrial part of town. Through strategic support from council, direct staff involvement during the opening of each business, zoning changes to support creative initiatives, and funding for wide-spread marketing, the city has championed the success of this innovative opportunity.
Targeted Revitalization through Economic Investment Zones – Penticton
Penticton attracted new businesses, redevelopment of brownfield sites, and over 400 jobs through targeted use of Revitalization Tax Exemptions throughout the city. Public input and comprehensive planning have shaped the successful Economic Investment Zone program.
Landowners and Volunteers Work Together to Manage Community Trail Network – Cumberland
Without legal access to an extensive mountain-biking trail network on land owned by forestry companies, Cumberland wasn’t able to showcase one of the area’s most thrilling natural attractions. By way of a strong partnership between the municipality, a local mountain-bike club, and private landowners, the Village of Cumberland is finally showcasing the adventurous spirit of the community and hosting world-class mountain-biking events.
Government-to-Government Partnerships Create Industrial Development, Tax Revenue, and Jobs – Terrace
Since 2006, the City of Terrace and local Kitselas and Kitsumkalum First Nations have signed a series of cooperation and economic development agreements, signalling a new era in building government to government relationships and paving the way for future collaborations. Benefits have included revenue sharing, and job opportunities for citizens.
Students' Study of Local Airport Leads to New Land Development Potential – Langley
In 2015, the Township of Langley partnered with Kwantlen Polytechnic University to provide fourth-year Finance students with a “real life municipal experience.” During the six-week project, students researched non-traditional funding sources for to finance the installation of municipal utility services on the undeveloped lands of the municipality’s Langley Regional Airport. The airport is the second-largest airport in Canada for rotary-wing aircrafts, like helicopters, and is a desired location destination by industry stakeholders.
Community-Led Park Development Project Creates Jobs and Attracts Visitors to Elk Falls – Campbell River
The vision of the Rotary Club of Campbell River, the Elk Falls Suspension Bridge was developed in partnership with BC Parks and BC Hydro. With funding from community, government, business and Island Coastal Economic Trust (ICET), it is a demonstration of the important role non-profits can play in rallying support for economic development. The bridge will provide opportunities for new target markets such as bus tours, mobility challenged visitors, more adventurous thrill seekers as well as other new hospitality and business opportunities to service and grow these new markets.
Watch related BC Ideas Exchange webinars about Developing Lands and Community Amenities.
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