PRINCE GEORGE, BC – Northern Development Initiative Trust is pleased to announce the establishment of an Economic Development Internship program focused on identifying talented business graduates from northern educational institutions that are seeking careers in local government and rural economic development. The internship will provide a unique immersed program of training and experience that will lead to local governments in the region having a resource for recruiting qualified economic development professionals.
“We are very pleased to announce the hiring of two economic development interns who will be joining our staff team for six-month work terms,” stated Northern Development Chair Evan Saugstad. “The interns in the 2010 program are University of Northern British Columbia Bachelor of Commerce graduates, Evan van Dyk of Terrace, and Kelly Bryan of Williams Lake.”
Throughout their internships, both Evan and Kelly will be available to communities from across the region, providing grant writing support and collaborating with the many grant writers that have been funded under Northern Development’s Grant Writing Support program. Northern Development will be working with local governments to identify one or two week work placements where the interns will be able to contribute directly to economic development projects and work within a municipal office environment.
The Economic Development Internship program is building on the momentum and close partnerships already in progress between and a number of communities who have been collaborating on investment attraction projects. Over the past year, Northern Development has been working with communities to improve their readiness to attract foreign investment to the region including development of regional marketing products with the funding support of the Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade, and with the assistance of InvestBC.
Communities that have already developed Investment-Ready Community Profiles in partnership with Northern Development include:
City of Prince Rupert- District of Port Edward
- City of Terrace
- District of Kitimat
- District of Stewart
- Town of Smithers
- District of 100 Mile House
- Cariboo Regional District
- City of Quesnel
- District of Wells
- City of Williams Lake
Much of the research work and community collaboration for these projects has been coordinated by Derek Baker who has worked for Northern Development in the role of Program Coordinator. Over the past year, Derek has worked closely with economic development officers from across the region and developed community economic development marketing products. Derek graduates from the University of Northern British Columbia with a Bachelor of Commerce degree in June, 2010 and he is interested in starting a career in rural economic development in the North. Communities that are recruiting for economic development are welcome to contact Brodie Guy, Economic Development Manager for Derek’s CV and contact information.
In 2010, the following communities have already committed resources to working with Northern Development to produce Investment-Ready Community Profiles and other community economic development marketing products:
- District of Houston
- Village of Hazelton
- Nisga’a Lisims Government
- Regional District of Kitimat-Stikine
- District of Logan Lake
- Misty Isles Economic Development Society
If your community hasn’t committed yet for 2010, but is interested in participating in this regional investment attraction initiative, please contact Brodie Guy, Economic Development Manager for more information. Northern Development staff will be working throughout 2010 to develop further investment attraction resources for communities, First Nations, and the private sector to assist the region and particularly rural communities to develop and diversify their economies.
Contacts:
Brodie Guy
Economic Development Manager
Northern Development Initiative Trust
Telephone: 250.561.2525
Email: brodie@northerndevelopment.bc.ca
Dean McKinley
Economic Development Manager
Northern Development Initiative Trust
Telephone: 250.561.2525
Email: dean@northerndevelopment.bc.ca
About Northern Development:
Northern Development Initiative Trust is an independent regional economic development corporation, originally funded by the Province of British Columbia, and is focused on stimulating economic growth and job creation in central and northern British Columbia.
For information on funding programs and economic development in central and northern British Columbia, visit: http://www.northerndevelopment.bc.ca/
