BVEDA Mission Statement

The BVEDA is operated by three founding signatories, the Town of Smithers, Area A of the Regional District of Bulkley Nechako and the Office of the Wet’suwet’en. The BVEDA supports individuals and community groups in the Bulkley Valley, members of the Wet’suwet’en and those interested in locating to the Valley. The BVEDA will facilitate economic development wherever possible but will focus on core services.

Core services include:

• Create and distribute research and economic information to those engaged in or interested in engaging in business and economic development and the community at large;

• Report out on the economic health, opportunities and stability of the Bulkley Valley and Wet’suwet’en territory;

• Provide brokering services to businesses, community groups and government agencies;

• Market and promote the region and recruit new investment;

• Secure investment in desired economic development activities and infrastructure from senior levels of government and the private sector;

• Where appropriate, provide/channel direct equity investment into key business operations; and

• Encourage, facilitate and assist the development of major resource projects where they fit the values and expectations of the people of the region.

The BVEDA will have professional and technical economic development staff based in the region funded by the three signatories. The staff will develop close working relationships with business owners and operators and with local, regional, provincial, First Nation and federal governments. The staff will proactively identify business and economic opportunities that will be shared with potential investors and entrepreneurs.

BVEDA will communicate, consult, inform and involve the broader community in its planning, implementation and evaluation functions so that our organization can be recognized as an economic leader.