As part of its State of the Basin (SOTB) initiative, the RDI is ramping up efforts to help communities use indicators and assets to support research, planning, and action. Since its inception in 2011, the RDI has worked to support evidence-based decision-making in our region, including the release of annual State of the Basin reports and the development of the Digital Basin in … [More]
RDI Explores the Health of the Tourism Sector
The RDI is proud to release a report that describes findings from Business Retention and Expansion (BRE) survey data from 152 businesses from across the Columbia Basin[1]. These surveys were conducted between 2012 and 2016. The BRE surveys are initiated by local community partners involved in the area of economic development, typically the local … [More]
Join an International Network and Become a Rural Policy Fellow
Are you working in a position related to rural policy? Are you passionate about rural issues? Then we want you! The Rural Policy Learning Commons (RPLC) – Governance and Natural Resource Teams are each seeking a Policy Fellow that would contribute their perspectives and expertise to advance the mandate and vision of RPLC. The Rural Policy Learning Commons is a … [More]
Fernie & Area BRE Completed August 2016
A Business Retention & Expansion (BRE) report is complete for Fernie and Area, representing 75 businesses (1 in 6 companies). The report is a collaborative effort by the Fernie Chamber of Commerce, the City of Fernie, the Columbia Basin Trust, and the Columbia Basin Rural Development Institute. It can be viewed and downloaded here: BRE (Business Retention and Expansion) … [More]
Digital Basin Quick Start


Basin-Boundary Agricultural Planning: The Regional Perspective