BCEDA Launches Economic Recovery Workshops

VANCOUVER, B.C., July 20, 2020 ­- The British Columbia Economic Development Association (BCEDA) is focused on supporting communities and their economic recovery post-COVID.  The pandemic has provided an opportunity for the development of new course material as economies face increasingly unprecedented challenges like never before.  It is a crucial time for communities to understand and respond to the need for growing strong local economies. 
 
BCEDA is the most experienced organization in British Columbia on issues related to economic recovery.  In 2012, the British Columbia Economic Development Association established the Economic Disaster Recovery Program following the Burns Lake Mill Explosion. Following this work, BCEDA was asked to assist the International Economic Development Council and the US Department of Commerce in refining the US Economic Recovery Framework. Since then, BCEDA has participated in economic disaster recovery worldwide - 2013 Southern Alberta floods, 2017/18 BC wildfires, US Virgins Islands, Flin Flon, MB, Grand Forks, BC, and the US Mariana Islands. While each disaster is unique, the basics are the same. Residents, businesses and communities are impacted, and require support to help them recover. Programs must be developed to meet the immediate needs of the community. One program does not necessarily work in every jurisdiction of the province.  BCEDA has developed workshops to help communities be better prepared to overcome the economic impacts of disasters.
 
The suite of workshops that BCEDA has developed are designed for economic development professionals and elected leaders in local, regional and Indigenous communities.  Topics include Business Engagement in a Post-COVID19 Environment, Investment Attraction in a Post-COVID19 Environment, Economic Development for Local Leaders and Making Economic Resiliency and Recovery the New Norm. Training can be delivered virtually or in-person, adhering to social distancing measures with under 50 capacity. More information is available here: https://www.bceda.ca/professional_development_catal.php
 
The launch of these new workshops is just another step that BCEDA is taking to help communities and businesses overcome the challenges faced by COVID19.  Since March 12^th, BCEDA has been offering regular email bulletins, hosting webinars, working with communities, and providing business resources including assisting in the expansion of Support Local BC, BC BusinessCounts, and more at https://www.bceda.ca/coronavirus.php. 
 
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MEDIA CONTACTS:
 
Dale Wheeldon
President & CEO
British Columbia Economic Development Association
T: 604-795-7119  
dwheeldon@bceda.ca
bceda.ca

About BCEDA
The BC Economic Development Association (BCEDA) is the leading professional association of economic development practitioners in the Province of BC. BCEDA currently has over 450 members from communities throughout the province. BCEDA provides services that help member communities grow and expand new and existing businesses, attract new business investments, and work towards strategic infrastructure investment, land use planning, and community enhancement. BCEDA services include an annual summit and networking event, educational and professional development opportunities, public relations, advisory services and resources.   For further information visit www.bceda.ca