Manuals
The BC Economic Development Association is pleased to present the BCEDA Professional Development Series. These manuals and webinars provide information for economic development practitioners to expand their knowledge and skills base. They focus on specific economic development elements practitioners will need to build stronger, healthier economies.Now Available
Economic Recovery & Resiliency Manual
In disaster-impacted communities, economic development organizations often lead economic recovery efforts by helping local businesses respond to impacts on their employees, their facilities, and their customer and supply networks. All too often, economic recovery becomes a piecemeal reaction, rather than a planned response, when disaster strikes. The key is to take steps ahead of time to ensure your organization can stay in touch with local businesses after any type of major incident and to set up a plan of action for disaster response and recovery. This manual provides information designed to get your communities started in the pre-planning process for economic recovery. Communities that have a plan in place prior to a disaster can start on the road to recovery immediately and have a better chance of economic recovery.
Click here to download the BCEDA Economic Recovery and Resiliency Manual
View the webinar recording
Now Available
Business Walks Manual
This manual focuses on designing and implementing business walks as part of your overall Business Retention and Expansion Program, which addresses the needs of existing local businesses. A Business Walks is only one component of a comprehensive BRE program and should not be the only business engagement undertaken.
The primary objectives of business walks are:
• Taking a day to get the pulse of the local business climate by identifying successes and obstacles that local businesses may be facing;
• Engaging with Local Leaders and external agencies in the process of reaching out to the business community;
• Respond to those needs using a wide variety of services, such as technical assistance, workforce development, financing, and building new markets;
• Address local issues that detract from a healthy business climate in which local businesses can prosper and grow;
• Demonstrating to those that have already invested in your community that they are valued and appreciated.
A good business retention and expansion program will retain jobs and tax revenues within your community, foster the growth and development of local firms, and enhance your community‘s reputation as a good place to do Business. This manual will guide you in creating a successful business walks initiative as part of broader business retention and expansion initiatives.
Click here to download the BCEDA Business Walks Manual
Now Available
Economic Development Ethics Manual
Ethical behavior is conduct that is beyond reproach and is in accordance to the common standards of a society, institution or organization. As organizations and institutions evolve, underscoring the need for regular education about acceptable conduct in the profession and the organization is needed to ensure long-term growth and development. This session will elaborate on ethics and help participants work through case studies to better understand ethics and economic development.
Click here to download the BCEDA Economic Development Ethics Manual
View the Webinar Recording
Now Available
Investment Readiness Manual
Investment readiness means ensuring your community is ready to attract and retain business investment. It means having all the pieces in position to be in the right place at the right time. Investors want to talk to communities that are knowledgeable, accessible and have current information at their fingertips.
Click here to download the BCEDA Investment Readiness ManualView the webinar recording
Now Available
Using Statistics in Economic Development
Statistics play a major role in economic development from responding to enquiries and demonstrating return on investment. In this session, we will show participants how to find and use statistics in the day to day job of economic development.
Click here to download the BCEDA Economic Development Statistics Manual
View the Webinar recording
Now Available
Economic Development for Local Leaders
The reasons why a community will engage in economic development activities varies greatly. Each community has unique characteristics and own reasons for actively engaging in economic development. Communities understand to create economic diversity, maintain and expand infrastructure, create a sustainable economy and to increase their ability to meet the needs of residents and businesses; they need to develop their economic development focus and goals. The more you understand about economic development, the more effective you can be in supporting your community’s economic development efforts. This manual is directed to all elected leaders including Mayors, Chiefs, council members and regional directors as well as economic development boards and team members.
Click here to download the BCEDA Economic Development for Local Leaders Manual
View the webinar recording
Now Available
Neighbourhood Development
Any local or regional economy is affected by the economies of the communities or neighborhoods in the area. Developing sound economic development strategies within smaller communities and areas will lead to a healthier economy overall. This session discusses working with the community as part of the overall area’s economic development plan, and identifies some of the specific hurdles that will need to be addressed.
Click here to download the BCEDA Neighbourhood Development Manual
View the webinar recording
Now Available
Business Retention and Expansion
Business retention and expansion is a core component of any economic development program, in addition to efforts to attract new businesses and encourage the creation of new businesses. Business retention and expansion programs assist businesses in an effort to keep them from relocating to other areas; help them survive economic difficulties; assist them with expansions that add new jobs; and increase their competitiveness in the wider marketplace. The focus is thus on existing companies, which form the local or regional economic base. Studies have shown that the businesses already existing in a community are responsible for up to 80 % of all net local
Click here to download the BCEDA Business Retention and Expansion Manual
View the webinar recording