The District of Central Saanich has worked with businesses to recover and explore new opportunities to retain and expand the local economy. The District has brought on a term position for a specialist to work on this. The new Community Economic Recovery Coordinator, Patrick Earl, has worked in multiple communities in BC and Alberta in municipal economic development roles, from large industrial-based communities to small rural communities. He has worked primarily in tourism and agriculture sector development and, more recently, through the pandemic, assisted businesses in looking at diversification of operations to expand their product and service offerings, business marketing collaboration, customer service and helping businesses get online.
As part of the recovery efforts, the District looks to create a Recovery Task Force to brainstorm a recovery plan. We are looking for volunteers across the business community to participate in this task force, and we are currently developing a Terms of Reference for its operation, milestones and metrics. Once complete, we will publically advertise for the task force this fall, seeking a range of perspectives from the community.
The insight of this recovery plan will assist in Council direction and the economic development efforts by the Community Economic Development Coordinator.
For more information, visit LetsTalkCentralSaanich.ca/Economic-Recovery
We are working to ensure economic development in our region remains healthy. We are a founding member of South Island Prosperity Project, the regional economic development organization of Greater Victoria. A member of Council represents Central Saanich as Council Liaison.
We are also working to protect existing tax bases and maximize economic opportunities in the Keating Business District, which is a vital local and regional economic driver. This industrial and commercial land base in Central Saanich supports local businesses and jobs, generates revenue, and contributes to a diversified tax base. The area currently supports 3,140 jobs in industries, including wholesale trade, manufacturing, transportation, warehousing and logistics, and construction. A recent (2017) business analysis of the area provided an overview of strategic benefits and provided a framework for retaining, enhancing, and growing the employment lands. Based upon the study and growth projections, there is the potential to generate 3,470 new jobs over 25 years (to 2041). The final implementation plan is available here.
The Saanich Peninsula Chamber of Commerce, is the voice of business on the peninsula. As the peninsula’s senior business organization, the Chamber leads by supporting economic development and business interests, and by building strategic relationships between the business community and its stakeholders. The Chamber serves over 300 members, offering a variety of tangible benefits that include cost-savings measures, marketing, tourism and public relations opportunities, and workshops, training and seminars.