PRREDS is developing pilot project with entrepreneurs as one focus

Powell River Regional Economic Development Society (PRREDS) has been contracted by the ministry of community, aboriginal and women's services to develop of pilot project to facilitate immigration to the Powell River area.

PRREDS responded to a request for proposals issued by the ministry, explained Don Allan, economic development manager. 'The overall goal of the project is to develop strategies to encourage and retain immigrants into rural BC,' he said. The project in Powell River is one of six being conducted throughout the province.

PRREDS has established a steering committee with local stakeholders and is doing the project in association with Words of Worth, a home-based business in Powell River. 'We're interested in speaking with recent immigrants to Powell River and establishing linkages back to their countries of origin,' said Allan. 'Once we identify the linkages we want to find out what type of information potential immigrants require to make the decision to immigrate.'

Potential business opportunities will be identified and a marketing package will be developed highlighting the kinds of services available to immigrants in the community.

'ESL (English as a Second Language) is critical and will be a major stumbling block in a lot of rural municipalities if you don't have that service available, which we do in a number of different ways. Powell River is a really good pilot for that reason, We do have a very well developed social service structure.'

The project will also focus on three different types of groups, Allan added, including entrepreneurs or individuals from other countries who are interested in starting businesses in Canada. 'They can come under the provincial nominee program if they are willing to invest a certain amount of money into a business. That obviously would be very beneficial for a place like Powell River where you could literally try and attract new businesses, just like you would companies, except these are entrepreneurs.'

The second focus is to identify skill shortages in a community and target immigrants with those skill sets. The third target group is refugees.

'PRREDS' overall goal is increasing the population, and that is one way to do it. To be able to attract investment into a community, labour force is so critical. This is another avenue of bringing in new labour force skills.'

A number of surveys will be conducted as part of the project.