Digital Basin Quick Start
Dr. Terri MacDonald, Regional Innovation Chair at the RDI presented to over 100 local government officials at the April 2016 Annual Conference in Kimberley. Her presentation entitled, Transitioning to the New Rural Economy & Economic Development Consideration, presented findings from a number of studies exploring aspects of rural communities in transition.
Dr. MacDonald first presented the recommendations emerging from the State of Rural Canada report which was commissioned by the Canadian Rural Revitalization Foundation and the Rural Policy Learning Commons. Findings from an economic development capacity diagnostic were also shared, highlighting a lack of alignment of perceptions between local government and economic development practitioner stakeholder groups.
Preliminary findings from the 2016 Local Economic Development in BC survey were shared with our local governments, highlighting comparisons between our region and the rest of the Province. The survey was undertaken as a partnership between the Ministry of Jobs, Tourism and Skills Training, the Union of BC Municipalities, and the BC Economic Development Association.
Dr. MacDonald also announced the launch of 4 new research projects and requested that communities interested in participating as a pilot contact the RDI.
The RDI also organized a panel session at the annual conference. Dr. MacDonald presented Advancing the Basin-Boundary Food System, Abra Brynne presented Food Policy Councils: Linking Spuds and Government, and Paris Marshall presented Creston Valley’s Fields Forward Initiative.
Basin-Boundary Agricultural Planning: The Regional Perspective