Richard Rolke - Vernon Morning Star Published: April 22, 2011 1:00 AM
The future of the North Okanagan Regional District’s economic development service remains in limbo. Member jurisdictions will be asked if they agree with Armstrong’s bid to withdraw from the function and whether they also want to cease their participation. “We’re just one-square-mile and we don’t have requirements for economic development,” said Shirley Fowler, Armstrong director, at Wednesday’s meeting. “We don’t have any land.” The only purpose of the service is to provide grants to economic development initiatives. Of the $10,000 a year in the service budget, Armstrong contributes $431. Many regional district board members question Armstrong’s reasoning of wanting to withdraw from the function. “It may be more appropriate to have a co-ordination of activities for the retention of business and creating new opportunities,” said Will Hansma, Spallumcheen director. Wayne Lippert, a Vernon director, pointed out that communities must work hard to maintain the economic base they already have.
“Eighty per cent (of economic development) is keeping what you have and only 20 per cent is about getting new stuff,” he said.
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