2022 Advisory Committee: Front row (left to right): Tom Thomson, Tanya Finley, Andrea Wilkey. Middle Row: Darren Davidson, Ashley Elliott, Stuart Horn, Bob Wright. Back row: Devin Scott, Melanie Fontaine, Am Naqvi, Kevin Cormack. Not pictured: Ramona Faust, Sydney Black, Cal Renwick, Keith Page, Tom Newell, Bob Hall, Carmen Proctor, David Harasym, Dianna Ducs, Ken Kalesnikoff, Lorri Fehr, Peter Lonergan, & Randy Richmond.
The Nelson and Area Economic Development Partnership (NAEDP) is a collaboration between the City of Nelson, Regional District Central Kootenay Electoral Areas E and F, Community Futures Central Kootenay, and the Nelson & District Chamber of Commerce. The NAEDP was formed so that local and community economic development opportunities in and around Nelson could be pursued jointly, efficiently, and effectively.
For the current membership, visit
What We Do
Each year, the NAEDP supports community economic development projects and initiatives in Nelson and area.
The NAEDP’s 2023 Strategic Priorities are used to guide the partnership. Currently, we are working to:
- Address the lack of workforce housing;
- Find solutions to workforce shortages;
- Provide timely business training opportunities on topics such as disaster preparedness, how to sell a business, and how to manage workforce shortages;
- Support the Arts, Culture and Heritage sector as it recovers from the impacts of the pandemic;
- Continue our #ThinkLocalFirst to support local businesses;
- Encourage investment attraction;
- Provide climate action supports to our business community; and,
- Advocate for the needs of our community at all levels of government.
Past Projects the NAEDP has supported/ led:
- Actively supporting the Rural and Northern Immigration Pilot
- Business Continuity Planning
- Nelson Innovation Centre
- Actively supporting the West Kootenay Boundary Community Investment Co-op
- Winning recognition as an Intelligent Community
Nelson and Area Economic Development Partnership Report Cards:
Business Resources
Disaster Planning and Business Continuity Planning
