State of the Basin Report — 2020

State of the Basin 2020

The State of the Basin initiative monitors and reports on indicators of environmental, economic, cultural, and social well-being in BC’s Columbia Basin-Boundary Region. The Columbia Basin Rural Development Institute (RDI) compiles the Snapshot report to provide a summary of current State of the Basin research. Click on the image below to access the 2020 report.…

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Keeping It Rural Conference Coming in October!

Struggling to attract and retain young people to and in your rural community? Wondering how to convince doctors to stay and practice in your town or region? Do you wish your hometown had the capital to support exciting startups and support local businesses wishing to expand?Then do we have the conference for you — Keeping…

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Canada’s Rural Economic Development Minister Invites Public Ideas On Ways to Expand Rural Opportunity — News Release

Canada

Ottawa, Ontario, March 25, 2019 – Canadians living in rural and northern communities have unique needs. Access to better and more modern infrastructure, affordable housing, and faster, more reliable Internet Service can make a big difference in the quality of life for rural Canadians.   The Honourable Bernadette Jordan, Canada’s newly-appointed Minister of Rural Economic Development, is…

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ABCDE, a la Peter Kenyon!

asset based community development with Peter Kenyon

“Shift the development mindset from needs and deficiencies to assets and capacities — from consumer, customer, and client, to co-producer, co-owner, and citizen.” Peter Kenyon   If your rural or remote community can use a boost, here are some primers, courtesy one of the world’s leading asset-based community development advocates, Australia’s Peter Kenyon.    …

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Small Towns Refuse to Die

Small towns fight back

Some small towns offer $1 lots, tax breaks and guaranteed loans to win over newcomers for a chance to prove they are islands of growth that matter to Canada’s future, says Joe O’Connor in this Financial Post article. Jay Patel decided about four years ago he wanted to buy a motel. He was living in…

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Rural Renewal Contest a Rousing Success!

  When the BC Rural Centre launched its Escape the City contest in the early Spring, the provincial non-profit focused on helping rural communities and First Nations identify ways of tackling their most vexing challenges & seize their opportunities, held its organizational breath. Were there really any big city Millennials out there actually interested in…

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Small Town Canada Strives to Survive

Small towns strive to survive

Here’s an informative report by CBC on how rural Canadians are striving to cope with change in the 21st century.  TRANSFORMATION How Canada’s small towns are trying to survive and thrive in changing times All summer CBC News will showcase communities adapting to demographic and other changes Chris Iorfida · CBC News · Posted: Jul 09, 2018 4:00 AM…

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New Rural Dividend Intake Begins June 1, 2018, July 31 Deadline

New Rural Dividend announces new intake

New Rural Dividend Intake Announced The BC Rural Dividend provides $25 million a year to assist rural communities with a population of 25,000 or less to reinvigorate and diversify their local economies. It was developed to recognize both the contribution rural communities have made to B.C.’s economy, and the unique challenges they face to diversify…

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Escape the City Winners Announced!

Escape the City winners, the Stober family

It’s like a law of physics — you know, for every action an equal reaction. As our major centres grow ever larger and more congested, attracting young people from rural areas with the promise of jobs and, well, glitter and glamour, an increasing number of youngish city folk are starting to look longingly at BC’s…

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Tale of Three Cities — Rural BC Tech-Based Innovation

Tale of Three... tech creates rural jobs
BC Rural Centre
BC Rural Centre
Tale of Three Cities — Rural BC Tech-Based Innovation
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Innovation is about staying relevant. We are in a time of unprecedented change. As a result, what may have helped a community or organization be successful in the past could potentially be the cause of their failure in the future. Communities and companies need to adapt and evolve to meet the ever changing needs of…

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