Village of Telkwa economic development officer Jane Stevenson (left) and Mayor Carman Graf stand outside the newly refurbished commercial building at the corner of Hankin and Highway 16. Stevenson has called council’s decision to repurpose the building the village’s “most valuable” economic development achievement in the last three years.
Situated at the confluence of the Telkwa and Bulkley rivers just 20 minutes from Smithers, the Village of Telkwa has been growing steadily in recent years thanks to an influx of young families that are taking advantage of the community’s affordability, amenities and hospitality. With a population of 1,350 and growing, Northern Development was interested to find out how the Village of Telkwa was positioning itself to support local businesses and economic growth. To get the answers, we had a chat with the village’s Economic Development Officer – and local author – Jane Stevenson.
Q: What do you love most about your job?
A: I have a really rewarding job where the successes are often tangible results like our upgraded playgrounds, new parks or improvements to buildings like our community hall. I also love working with the local existing businesses because the owners and operators are often really passionate about this place that we live in and enthusiastic about new programs.
Q: How much growth have you seen in the local economy in the last decade? What’s driving it?
A: I’ve seen a slow and steady population growth and with that a slow and steady growth in our new businesses. Business license sales increase every year. I’ve definitely witnessed a renewed optimism about living and doing business here in Telkwa, and it is reflected in the entrepreneurial spirit of those that have opened their new businesses and also in the expansion or continuation of our existing businesses.
Q: What do you think has been the Village of Telkwa’s most valuable economic achievement to date?
A: I think that the leadership shown by the Village of Telkwa’s council and staff to purchase the highly visible and empty commercial building on the corner of Hankin and Highway 16, and their decision to repurpose that building, was our most valuable economic achievement in the last three years. We are really proud of the grant funding that we found to enable these improvements. The Village of Telkwa has led the investment in our downtown by purchasing and retrofitting the Hankin Corner Building, by establishing a district heating system and by building out commercial rental space in the building too. Another big achievement is my personal success rate in grant writing. Council and staff are all really proud of the $1,679,000 in grant funding I have secured for the Village of Telkwa in the last two years.
Q: Telkwa has recently joined Small Town Love and Northern Development’s Love Telkwa campaign. How has joining Small Town Love supported Telkwa’s local business community?
A: The local businesses have really responded well to the Small Town Love campaign. I really appreciate positivity and that is what this Small Town Love and Love Telkwa initiative is all about. We have offered local businesses a well-branded and well-supported campaign with a reasonable one-time registration fee and we have had a great response from our local businesses. Telkwa has, so far, 27 local businesses signed up. That is an awesome registration number for the size of our village! I know local businesses appreciate that someone else is actively boosting their products or services, and I see the stats online that show it is working.
Q: More and more young families are re-locating to Telkwa. Why? And what words of wisdom do you have for young families looking to relocate to Telkwa?
A: Telkwa is a great place to live, work and raise your family and that is why people are moving here and staying here. Telkwa Elementary School is the smallest school in the district and there are real advantages to having your children go to a small school. There is an awesome daycare right by the school too. Telkwa is aware of the growing population of young families and there is a focus on improving parks and recreation – the recent seasonal skate park is an example of that. We have fantastic access to the wilderness all around the Village.
Q: In addition to your role with the Village, you also are an award-winning writer and author. How has living in northern B.C. influenced your writing?
A: My nonfiction books focus on the unique characters or places or events in northern B.C. I also place my fictional short stories in northern B.C. I think that by basing my characters in a strong setting that I know really well I can craft stories that draw a reader in. A short story of mine was nominated for the 2014 Journey Prize so I must be doing something right by writing about northern B.C.
