Working Together for Stronger Communities
If you live in a rural or small-town community, chances are you care deeply about the well-being of your neighbours, your businesses, and your shared future. Many communities are already working hard to support local businesses, attract investment, and create vibrant places to live.
A Community Economic Development (CED) approach builds on these existing strengths—connecting initiatives through a shared strategy, pooling resources, and creating structures that help good ideas move forward together.
What is community economic development?
Community Economic Development is a collaborative approach to building strong, resilient local economies. It brings together local government, businesses, non-profits, and residents to work toward shared economic, social, and environmental goals.
Community Economic Development focuses on:
- Supporting and expanding local business capacity
- Attracting and retaining a skilled workforce
- Improving quality of life through strategic community projects
- Strengthening priority sectors and diversifying economies
At its heart, Community Economic Development is about aligning local efforts for bigger, longer-lasting impact.
Our Mandate
We’re part of the national Community Futures Program, which exists to help rural communities unlock their full economic potential in a sustainable way.
Our mandate is to:
“Support local economic development and strengthen the capacity of communities to develop their full potential in a sustainable manner.”
Through this mandate, we work with communities to:
- Generate local stability, growth, and jobs
- Promote diversified, competitive rural economies
- Support sustainable, thriving communities
How We work in Communities
now every community is unique, and many are already advancing strong initiatives. Our role is to add capacity, coordination, and resources so that local priorities can move forward more quickly and effectively.
We do this by:
Coordinating and Aligning Efforts
Bringing different partners together—municipalities, regional districts, chambers, business groups, non-profits—to ensure strategies are connected and mutually supportive.
Supporting Strategic Planning
Helping communities identify shared goals, assess opportunities, and develop actionable work plans.
Leveraging Funding
Using our experience and networks to help secure grants and investment that support priority projects.
Providing Backbone Support
Taking care of administration, communications, and project management so that community leaders can focus on decision-making and vision.
Building Local Capacity
Strengthening the skills, knowledge, and structures needed for communities to carry forward their own economic development work over time.
Partnerships in action
We currently support three regional economic development partnerships—each shaped by its community’s unique needs:
Greater Nelson Economic Development
Working together since 2005, this partnership of the City of Nelson, Regional District of Central Kootenay Areas E and F, Community Futures Central Kootenay and the Nelson and District Chamber of Commerce have:
- Brought broadband fibre to businesses
- Supported the launch of the Nelson Innovation Centre
- Helped families settle through immigration pathways
- Developed targeted workforce and business retention strategies
Slocan Valley Economic Development Partnership
Serving New Denver, Silverton, Slocan, and RDCK Area H North since 2019, this partnership is focused on:
- Promoting tourism and local investment
- Supporting small business growth
- Supporting strategic planning in rural communities
Castlegar & District Economic Development Partnership
Formed in 2023 by the City of Castlegar, RDCK Areas I and J, Castlegar and District Chamber of Commerce, and Community Futures Central Kootenay, Castlegar and District Economic Development Partnership is:
- Addressing downtown revitalization
- Supporting diversification through the development of the tech and tourism sectors
- Advancing resident attraction and retention
Why it Works
Community Economic Development partnerships take time, trust, and structure. They succeed because they:
- Include Advisory Committees with local representation
- Share decision-making between governments and community partners
- Combine long-term strategies with short-term action plans
- Have the administrative and project management support needed to deliver results.
Ready to start?
If you’re a local leader, councillor, business advocate, or engaged community member, we can work with you to:
- Connect existing efforts under a shared vision
- Strengthen coordination between partners
- Access new funding opportunities
- Move priority projects forward
Contact us to explore how we can help your community align its strengths and create lasting economic impact.
Contact Us
