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Council adopts new economic development plan for Burns Lake

The plan includes a tax break for business expansion.

Businesses in Burns Lake will soon have an incentive to grow and expand.

As part of the village’s new economic development plan, which was adopted by council last week, the village plans to implement a “commercial revitalization tax exemption bylaw.”

The bylaw is intended to encourage redevelopment and construction of commercial space in Burns Lake by offering businesses an exemption on their property taxes.

“An initiative like this could have some important benefits such as redevelopment of existing commercial buildings or construction of new commercial buildings,” said Krystin St. Jean, Economic Development Officer for the Village of Burns Lake. “It could also result in better commercial space for local businesses to occupy throughout the whole community.”

This is the first economic development plan completed by the village since the economic development department was established in 2013.

According to village staff, the plan was developed out of a need to establish a clear direction and vision for economic development in the Burns Lake area.

“Having an economic development plan is critical for village staff and council,” said St. Jean. “By establishing strategic priorities and goals, a clear direction has been set for the economic development department.”

However, specific actions and timelines have not yet been determined.

“Staff is currently developing a work plan that will identify actions and timelines on the goals,” explained St. Jean. “Outcomes and strategies which will be presented to council within the next month.”

The four strategic priorities identified in the plan include business retention and expansion, business and resident readiness and attraction, tourism sector development and agriculture sector development.

For agriculture sector development, the goal is for Burns Lake to become a regional leader in local food production. Strategies include supporting local initiatives such as the farmer’s market to grow and expand, as well as to increase uptake of local producers in programs already established such as ‘connecting producers and consumers’ - a program developed by the Regional District of Bulkley-Nechako in 2014.

For tourism sector development, strategies include educating and encouraging local businesses to adopt “shopping friendly hours,” which would help create a more vibrant downtown core.

When it comes to business readiness, strategies include developing an integrated and coordinated recruitment and retention program, as well as developing a comprehensive information guide for local entrepreneurs who wish to start up in Burns Lake. The guide would include case studies and contacts of other local entrepreneurs.

For business retention and expansion, the village plans to maximize uptake of the village’s facade improvement program, as well as to reduce the amount of dollars that are spent on goods and services outside of Burns Lake.

The village’s economic development plan was developed by village economic development staff, with the support of the village’s economic development steering committee - a group comprised of staff, elected officials, First Nations and public members.

Staff will begin implementation of the plan starting in 2016 with the goals and outcomes being evaluated each year to ensure that measures are being achieved.

The village will also work with staff from Northern Development Initiative Trust, which will assist with the implementation of the plan.