Following a Collaborative Economic Development Meeting in October of 2014, Central Coast Regional District residents identified using a community economic development approach as a suitable match to achieve the economic development outcomes community members and stakeholders envision for the region.
Community Economic Development puts emphasis on inclusion and works to ensure the community, as a whole, participates in developing the economy. It encourages businesses to operate with long-run environmental, cultural, community, and economic well-being in mind. This approach ensures the economy is led by local decision makers.
The Community Economic Development Officer (CEDO) supports community economic development through research, government liaison, communications and marketing. A clear set of community priorities is essential to ensure that the Economic Development Services function of the Central Coast Regional District is working towards the future that is envisioned by the local residents.
This CCRD Economic Development Operating Plan is a multi-year strategy created to identify the role CCRD administration can play within its Economic Development Service to support regional economic and community development efforts. The plans focus areas are derived from the October 2014 collaborative meeting, input from the Economic Development Advisory Committee, regular engagement with local, regional, and provincial organizations, regular engagement with members of the public, and an Economic Development Building Blocks Workshop held October 2016.