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Economic Development Organizations and Groups

Last updated on December 18, 2024

There are many organizations, regional trusts and Crown corporations dedicated to the economic development of all communities throughout B.C.

Provincial Economic Development Organizations and Groups

Whether your community is large or small, urban or rural, the following organizations are a good source to help you promote partnerships throughout your community.

 

Find Provincial Economic Development Organizations and Groups

  • B.C. Assembly of First Nations (BCAFN) works with First Nations to provide them with the tools and information they need to build successful, sustainable plans for economic development.
  • BC Chamber of Commerce represents the majority of local Chambers of Commerce or Boards of Trade, advocating for business-friendly public policy on behalf of businesses across the province. 
  • BC Economic Development Association (BCEDA) provides services that help member communities grow and expand new and existing businesses, attract new business investments, and work towards strategic infrastructure investment, land use planning, and community enhancement.
  • BC Rural Centre curates reports, case studies, podcasts, videos, and other tools designed to help rural and First Nations residents make their communities stronger and more resilient.
  • Business Council of British Columbia provides public-policy research and advocacy on issues that enhance B.C.'s competitiveness and prosperity.
  • Business Improvement Areas of BC represent more than 60 business districts that employ hundreds of thousands of retail, service and office employees - mostly small and medium-sized businesses - within their defined business districts, and are part of maintaining community excellence and highest quality of livability.
  • Civic Info BC is the province’s local government information hub. The website has tools and information resources, including contact lists, job listings and more.
  • Community Futures British Columbia and their over 30 network offices share a common vision to create diverse, sustainable communities by offering services and tools, including business support services, business planning advice, loans and self-employment assistance, to help entrepreneurs and small business owners achieve their goals.
  • First Nations In BC Knowledge Network, brought to you by the First Nations Technology Council.
  • Forestry Innovation Investment (FII) is the B.C. Government's market development agency for forest products. They work to strengthen and diversify international markets for B.C. forest products.
  • National Consortium for Indigenous Economic Development (NCIED), an initiative of the Peter B. Gustavson School of Business and Faculty of Law, focuses on independent and collaborative research, building capacity for economic development in Indigenous nations and their communities.
  • Société de développement économique de la Colombie-Britannique (SDECB) supports community economic development through the creation of economic projects and by strengthening Francophone organizations’ entrepreneurial capacities.
  • Trade and Invest BC helps build connections and partnerships by promoting the trade of B.C. products and services globally. They also facilitate foreign investment and enable businesses to successfully expand and establish a business presence in British Columbia.
  • Union of BC Municipalities (UBCM) was formed to provide a common voice for local government and this role is as important today as it was 100 years ago. UBCM initiates, monitors, interprets and reacts where such changes could have an effect on local governments and the communities they serve.

Trusts and Crown Corporations

Regional economic development trusts and Crown corporations were established through legislation to serve specific areas. Each has developed its own distinct business model for distributing funds to meet community needs.

 

Find Trusts and Crown Corporations

  • Columbia Basin Trust is a Crown corporation established by the provincial government in 1995. The Trust supports efforts by the people of the Columbia Basin to create a legacy of social, economic and environmental well-being and to achieve greater self-sufficiency for present and future generations.
  • Destination British Columbia supports a strong and competitive future for B.C.’s tourism industry through a combination of global marketing, destination development, industry learning, cooperative community-based programs, and visitor servicing.
  • Economic Trust of the Southern Interior (ETSI-BC) adds value to their region by helping build the region’s economic development capacity, assisting their partners as they support local businesses, encouraging entrepreneurship and the creation of meaningful jobs, and providing support to key sectors of their region’s economy to innovate and be more sustainable.
  • Innovate BC helps innovators in B.C. access funding, launch their ideas and connect with the experts 
  • Island Coastal Economic Trust (ICET) supports economic diversification, planning and regional revitalization in the Vancouver Island and Sunshine Coast region.
  • New Relationship Trust participates in the BC First Nations Economic Development Working Group, a provincial working group tasked with overseeing the Action Plan for the BC First Nation Economic Development Strategy.
  • Northern Development Initiative Trust (NDIT) is an economic development funding corporation for central and northern B.C. that provides funding and support for stimulating economic growth and job creation in the region.

Regional Economic Development Organizations and Groups

Find economic development organizations and groups in each of B.C.’s eight regions:

B.C.’s eight regions map

Cariboo

The Cariboo region covers much of the northern interior of the province, ranging from the Cariboo Plateau in the west to the valleys of the Cariboo and Rocky Mountain ranges in the east.

 

Find Cariboo Economic Development Organizations and Groups

Kootenay

The Kootenay region is located in the southeast corner of the province, bordering Alberta, Washington, Idaho, and Montana.

 

Find Kootenay Economic Development Organizations and Groups

Mainland/Southwest

The Mainland/Southwest region is located in the southwest corner of the B.C. mainland. It includes the Greater Vancouver area, the Fraser Valley, the southern part of the Sunshine Coast, and stretches north to include Whistler, Pemberton and Lillooet.

 

Find Mainland/Southwest Economic Development Organizations and Groups

Nechako

The Nechako region stretches from the B.C.-Yukon border in the north down to the central Lakes District and is separated from the northeastern section of the province by the Rocky Mountain Trench.

 

Find Nechako Economic Development Organizations and Groups

North Coast

The North Coast region covers the northern coastal areas of the province as well as Haida Gwaii.

 

Find North Coast Economic Development Organizations and Groups

Northeast

The Northeast region shares a border with Alberta and Yukon, and is part of the Peace River Basin. It is separated from the northwestern part of the province by the Rocky Mountain Trench.

 

Find Northeast Economic Development Organizations and Groups

Thompson-Okanagan

The Thompson Okanagan region in B.C.’s central interior lies between the Cascade and Monashee mountains, and borders Alberta and Washington.

 

Find Thompson-Okanagan Economic Development Organizations and Groups

Vancouver Island/Coast

The Vancouver Island/Coast region spans Vancouver Island from Vic­toria to Port Hardy, and encompasses the Gulf Islands and some of the southern mainland shoreline including Powell River.

 

Find Vancouver Island/Coast Economic Development Organizations and Groups

Add an Organization or Group

Email us at EconomicDevelopment@gov.bc.ca to add a B.C. economic development organization or group to this list.

Provincial Support

Regional Economic Operations (REO) staff are located in every region of the province.

They help communities plan and implement economic development priorities.

Contact a regional manager in your area.

EDAC
EDAC logo

The Economic Developers Association of Canada (EDAC) is Canada’s national organization of economic developers offering its members professional development, networking opportunities and economic development resources, both on and offline.

PacifiCan

PacifiCan is the Government of Canada’s new economic development agency dedicated to British Columbia.

PacifiCan promotes growth and diversification in B.C.’s economy by enhancing innovation, improving business competitiveness, and promoting inclusive growth.

Find a PacificCan office near you.

Training and Education

EducationPlannerBC helps people plan, search, and apply to public post-secondary institutions in British Columbia.

Search for economic development programs at EducationPlannerBC.