Kitimat's Economic Development Strategy

In January 2023 Council directed that a five year economic development strategic plan be developed through funding from the Northern Development Initiative Trust Capacity Building Program. In March of 2023, the District engaged Rynic Communications to undertake developing the plan. Between April and June several engagement exercises took place including in person and virtual workshops and an online survey.

The draft District of Kitimat Economic Development Strategic Plan (2023-2028) was presented to Council at the August 8, 2023 Committee of the Whole. Council directed additional meetings be scheduled to further discuss the Plan and make revisions. The revised plan was approved at a Regular Meeting of Council on October 30, 2023.

Updates about Kitimat's Economic Development Strategic Plan

What are the goals of this strategy?

Goal 1 under this strategy is to address housing in Kitimat.

Goal 2 is to address the look of Kitimat.

Goal 3 is to enhance Kitimat's downtown sector.

Goal 4 is to look at how we support all sizes of business.

Goal 5 is making the community attractive to our future workers.

Timeline

Timeline item 1 - complete

Direction from Council

January 3, 2023
At the January 3, 2023 Regular Meeting of Council, Council directed staff to begin a process to develop a five-year economic development strategic plan.
Timeline item 2 - complete

Consultant retained

March 14, 2023
Staff hired Rynic Communications as the consultant to facilitate the development of the economic plan.
Timeline item 3 - complete

Online discovery workshop

April 27, 2023
Online Discovery Workshop was organized for key community leaders with a stake in economic development. The 2-hour session was held virtually and attended by 27 participants.
Timeline item 4 - complete

Survey to the public

May 4 until June 1
A 23-question online public survey was launched with paper copies available at the District Municipal Office. 114 survey responses were received in total. During this period, interviews were conducted with six key sector leaders within the community.
Timeline item 5 - complete

Open house

May 17, 2023
An Open House hosted by the Kitimat Chamber of Commerce presented members of the public an opportunity to view preliminary survey results, propose actionable ideas for key sectors identified and complete paper copies of the survey.
Timeline item 6 - complete

Council Discovery Workshop

May 23, 2023
An Online Discovery Workshop was held for Council.
Timeline item 7 - complete

Economic Development Summit

June 12,2023
An Economic Development Summit was held at the Joanne Monaghan Community Room at Riverlodge Recreation Centre. A total of 19 community leaders attended with representation from Council, District staff, Haisla Nation Council and key community organizations. Participants at this workshop reviewed information from the public engagement sessions and key informant interviews. The session was also used to brainstorm solutions based on the key areas of focus identified through the research and engagement process.
Timeline item 8 - complete

Draft plan presented to Council

August 8, 2023
The draft economic development plan was presented to Council for their review and direction.
Timeline item 9 - complete

Direction for future meetings

August 21, 2023
At a regular meeting, Council reviewed options for virtual or in-person meetings to discuss the strategic plan with the consultant from Rynic Communications.
Timeline item 10 - complete

Report received to Comitttee of the Whole

September 12, 2023
At a Committee of the Whole meeting, Council reviewed the revised action plans as presented by staff and the consultant. Requested edits were discussed and staff will bring forward a revised plan for review at a Committee of the Whole meeting and adoption at a later Regular meeting.
Timeline item 11 - complete

Revised plan presented for approval at Committee of the Whole

October 16, 2023
Revisions to the plan were presented to Council during a Committee of the Whole for review. Council approved revisions and referred plan to a Regular Meeting of Council for consideration of approval.
Timeline item 12 - complete

Economic Development Strategic Plan approved

October 30, 2023
The Economic Development Strategic Plan was unanimously approved at a Regular Meeting of Council.