Traffic Volumes Increasing by 1.5% per Year

Traffic volumes indicate demand on a component of our publicly-funded infrastructure, helping planners to properly design and construct transportation networks. Our roads are used for commuting, tourism, and transportation of goods, among other purposes. Traffic data can help us understand how shifts in the economy affect our communities and our transportation needs. Over … [More]

GINI Index Shows Income Inequality Varies Across the Region

Information on the distribution of personal incomes helps indicate the type and quality of earning opportunities that are available to the population. The GINI Index, as a measure of income inequality, is often used to assess equity in an economy. In our region, incomes are most equally distributed in Regional District of Central Kootenay Areas C and D as well as Slocan, and … [More]

Region shows Fewer Vulnerable Children than BC Average

The Early Development Instrument (EDI) is administered by kindergarten teachers, and assesses the developmental readiness of a group of children. Children are considered vulnerable when some aspect of their development (physical, social/emotional or intellectual) is delayed at kindergarten entry. Currently, all seven Basin-Boundary school districts have a lower percentage of … [More]

Real Estate Sector Leads Growth in Business Counts

Monitoring changes in the number of businesses operating in the region gives a sense of whether the regional business climate is supporting the development of an expanding or contracting economy. From 2012 to 2013, all Basin-Boundary regional districts saw an increases in business counts, though all regional districts also demonstrated slower growth than the provincial … [More]

Building Permit Trends Indicate Slow Recovery from Recession

Housing starts and building permits are well accepted indicators of economic performance. Housing starts tend to pick up at the beginning of a business cycle, and taper at the initial signs of economic slowdown. This is reflective of changing consumer expectations, coupled with the influence of shifting interest rates. In the wake of the 2009 recession, trends in the number … [More]