WHAT WE DO
The Economic Development & Tourism Department facilitates, promotes and enhances economic development across the community. The team is responsible for the day-to-day management of the economic development function, which includes tourism, product development, and marketing. Economic Development involves significant contact with the local business community, industries and government agencies, as well as, responsibility for gathering data research and application. Coordination of local land use planning programs to attract and enable business retention and attraction as well as encourage industry investment.
In addition to The Official Community Plan and other District documents the Economic Development team is guided by two documents ;
- The five-year Tumbler Ridge Tourism Strategy 2020-2024 entitled “Land of Ancient Footprints, Land of New Discoveries”
- Investment Readiness and Economic Development Plan, a three-year plan 2018-2020.
Completed 2021 Priority Projects
Downtown Design Guidelines. A guidelines workshop and review with public engagement to produce a final document, which was adopted in September 2022 by Council.
Housing and Residential Development progressed with the finalization of the 46 acres at the Saddle Club.
Digital Marketing Strategy. With the support of a Northern Development Initiative Trust (NDIT) grant and in collaboration with the Northern BC Tourism Association, working with a digital marketing professional to create unified digital marketing strategies for the District, Geopark, Museum and the TRMBA. Implementation of the strategy included designing graphics, writing content, creating advertising campaigns and putting advertising dollars towards sponsored posts.
Destination BC Content Production Initiative. In partnership with the Tumbler Ridge UNESCO Global Geopark, hosted a professional photographer in Tumbler Ridge with the support of Destination British Columbia which provided over 400 edited professional images and videos for our content library.
Snowmobiling in the Geopark. With the support of an NDIT grant, the team hosted professional snowmobilers Brett Turcotte and Brock Hoyer for a weekend of filming backcountry riding in Tumbler Ridge. Ran a successful contest in conjunction with the Ridge Riders Snowmobile Association to increase their membership. Received a collection of videos and images for our content library featuring the riders.
Pump Track. Supported the Tumbler Ridge Mountain Bike Association in their efforts to bring the Pump Track project to completion. The department also designed all the graphics and signage for the track.
Tourism Advisory Committee. Met monthly during 2021 with the last meeting held in November 2021. The need and future of the TAC are under review with a revised format potentially for 2022.
Labour Market Partnership. Initial groundwork for the Labour Market Partnership application completed. The project was paused due to staff capacity.
Publications. Produced the 2021 Tumbler Ridge Global Geopark Visitor & Relocation Guide and the 2021 Tumbler Ridge Business & Resource Directory, which lists over 175 local and intercommunity businesses.
Welcome Signage. Lit signs were installed at each of the three town entrances.
Certificate in Economic Development. Jessie Olsen completed the Community Economic Development program through the University of Waterloo.
Grants applied for included UBCM Housing Needs Assessment, Capital Investment Analysis, NDIT Marketing Initiatives (2), Love Tumbler Ridge and Economic Development Capacity Building.
Learn more at Invest Tumbler Ridge and Visit Tumbler Ridge
The Economic Development Team:
Terése Finegan, Director of Economic Development & Tourism
Jessie Olsen, Economic Development, Marketing & Design Coordinator
ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT & TOURISM
305 Iles Way, Tumbler Ridge, BC V0C 2W0
Phone: 250-242-4242
email: Email
Invest Tumbler Ridge Website