Richard Rolke - Vernon Morning Star Published: July 09, 2009 6:00 PM
The City of Vernon is dangling a carrot in front of its neighbours. On Wednesday, city officials informed all North Okanagan jurisdictions that they are willing to provide free access to its economic development function if it leads to industrial growth and new jobs. “I don’t look at it as a subsidy,” said Mayor Wayne Lippert. “For Vernon, I see it as a win. There is lots of industry not in Vernon and they have issues and are trying to survive. People in Vernon work at those places.” As an example, Lippert says many Vernonites were negatively impacted by the closure of the glass plant in Coldstream. “Economic development is something we need to do as a region. Anything that happens in Vernon is good for the region and anything that happens in the region is good for Vernon,” he said. Kevin Poole, the city’s economic development officer, points out that any available industrial land is outside of Vernon. “If we don’t have a unified approach, we will lose investment opportunities,” he said. Between 1998 and 2008, the city handed out $920 million in building permits, but less than one per cent was for industrial uses.
The free service would be provided on a one-year trial basis, but there’s no guarantee fees would begin then. “Let’s see how it works on the ground for a year and after that, we can review it,” said Poole. The North Okanagan’s five other municipalities and five electoral areas now must determine if they are willing to participate in the initiative. “If you work in Vernon and live in Grindrod or work in Grindrod and live in Vernon, it doesn’t matter,” said Herman Halvorson, North Okanagan Regional District chairman and rural Enderby director. “It’s a good thing to work together for jobs. Things aren’t that good right now.” Rick Fairbairn, rural Lumby director, says it’s time for communities to stop pursuing economic development separately. “We’re looking at the broad picture for our region.” That’s also the view of Doug Dirk, a councillor in Coldstream, which was hit hard by the glass plant closure. “The more we work together with a common interest, the overall health of the region benefits,” he said.
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Editorial Morning Star July 09, 2009 6:00 PM Vernon’s approach deserves praise
The City of Vernon is certainly taking a novel approach when it comes to economic development. The city has offered to provide its economic development service to all other North Okanagan jurisdictions for free for at least a year. Such a move makes sense as Vernon has virtually no vacant land for industry and the well-paying jobs that go along with them. Manufacturing plants in Lumby, Spallumcheen, Enderby or elsewhere will lead to employees living in Vernon or shopping there. And a unified approach is vital because the competition for industrial investment is significant, reaching across B.C., Canada and around the world. The concept of regional economic development has been hung up by infighting and bureaucracy before, so the offer of a free service will hopefully bring the other jurisdictions to the table. In time — if the initiative proves worthwhile — they may decide to become financial partners.But beyond accessing a free program, the regional politicians need to bring an open mind to the table.
And that certainly is lacking when it comes to the Masters World Cup at Sovereign Lake in 2011. Instead of automatically giving the green light, the politicians have to consider whether they should do it and how to fund it. Obviously due diligence is important but their $25,000 investment could help fuel $5 million in economic impact. What is there to think about?That aside, though, it appears that the city’s fresh attitude towards economic development will benefit the entire region.
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