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Socio-Economic
Montage
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Kootenay-Columbia-Boundary
Economic Information Coordination Project
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Authored by:
Community Resource Management
Gold Island Consulting
Prepared for:
Inter-Agency Economic Coordination Committee
May 1999
Location of Publication:
"Columbia Basin Trust Collection"
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The Inter-Agency Economic Coordination
Committee (IECC) is comprised of agencies with a mandate in
economic development in the Kootenay-Columbia-Boundary region.
The IECC's primary function is to coordinate the activities
of provincial and federal agencies with economic responsibilities
in the region. One activity the IECC identified as a need
was the coordinated collection and dissemination of economic
information throughout the region. In the spring of 1998,
the IECC formed a steering committee comprised of Human
Resource Development Canada, Columbia
Basin Trust, and the Land
Use Coordination Office to initiate a project to develop
momentum, commitment and a clear sense of direction for an
improved process pertaining to the collection and dissemination
of economic information in the region.
This project consisted of three
phases:
Phase I:
A "key informant" telephone
survey was carried out in September of 1998 to determine if there
was a need for this type of study.
Key informants conveyed strong support
for this project. Concerns identified include:
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the need to reduce duplication
of services and program; and,
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the need for both electronic
and non-electronic information exchange to accommodate client
information needs. |
Phase II
An "economic development practitioner"
survey was carried out during October and November of 1998 to determine
economic information needs, gaps and/or overlaps, cost inefficiencies,
issues, and to gather ideas for improving the collection and dissemination
of economic information. Practitioners in the Kootenay-Boundary
region participated.
The common points raised by respondents
were the lack of coordination, time and cost factors, and relevancy
of information (current and accurate). Respondent suggestions included:
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the establishment of a key
structure or "service" to take on the role of information
coordination;
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the encouragement of a coordinated
environment (sharing and cooperation); and,
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the creation of a directory
or guide listing organizations and the information and resources
they provide. |
Phase
III:
A focus session comprised of selected
economic development practitioners was held in January of 1999 to
further develop the visions and ideas for improving the collection
and dissemination of economic information, to analyze the feasibility
of these ideas and to develop a strategy to improve information
management. Sessions took place in Cranbrook and Castlegar.
Suggestions to improve the current
system were broken down into several categories:
1) Quality
of Information and Data
Much information that is currently
exchanged is not provided by trained professionals or staff qualified
to evaluate the data. Participants felt that this exchange should
be handled by trained staff who are capable of determining and
analyzing the end user's needs, and they should be able to translate
data into a "layman's" language. It was also recognized
that the current method of exchange lacks cooperation and coordination,
and that there is a need for a collaborative system through existing
and proposed linkages.
2) A Central
Supplier of Information
Due to the sporadic and inconsistent
methods of delivery and exchange, strong support for a self-sustaining
"One Stop" information or service structure that also
recognizes and supports the information exchange services of smaller
organizations was identified.
3) Electronic
Services
There was overall recognition
that electronic exchange is the way of the future, but it was
also recognized that "hard copy" will continue to be
a desired, and sometimes preferred, method.
4) A Communication
Plan to Create Awareness
A structured communication process
was suggested to alleviate the misinformation that currently exists
today with respect to "who, what, where, when and how"
information is collected and disseminated.
Participants felt that the priorities
in creating an "ideal information exchange system" were:
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to establish a regional
coordination structure or service; and,
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to develop a directory
that would ultimately provide a base for a web site. |
Based on participants' response,
the Consultant recommends the following actions be taken as "next
steps":
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Contract with a local consultant
to explore the proposed structure or service concept. The
examination would outline the feasibility of the concept by
reviewing the organizational, operational, and marketing requirements.
This information would provide the basis for the development
of a strategic business plan. Activities could include:
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undertaking a SWOT analysis; |
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developing an initial definition
of the mandate, size and philosophy; exploring alternatives
for committed financing that will lead to permanency and
sustainability over the long term; |
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determining if other "key
players" in the region will buy in and support the
visions; |
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identifying and confirming
partnerships (financial/supporting); and, |
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developing a business plan
which would include financial, operational, marketing, and
communications components |
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Initiate the formation of
a Regional Economic Development Practitioner Advisory Council. |
The general consensus of study participants
is that attempts to improve the collection and dissemination of
economic information in the Kootenay-Columbia-Boundary area are
worthwhile, however, further exploration is required before a meaningful
strategy can be developed. Participants emphasized that the success
of resulting initiatives will hinge upon dedicated effort and a
unanimous agreement of all players (including those practitioners
and providers who were not part of this project) to work together
and to secure funding sources.
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