Digital Basin Quick Start
The RDI supported the Nelson and Area Economic Development Partnership’s recent Business Retention and Expansion project by providing research training, data analysis and report writing support.
In total, 100 businesses were interviewed in order to identify the needs, concerns and opportunities of existing local businesses in order that, where appropriate, local action can be taken to respond to the businesses’ needs or development opportunities.
The project also aimed to:
- learn of the future plans of the region’s local businesses with respect to expansion, relocation and/or retention and follow-up where assistance could be provided;
- demonstrate the community’s pro-business attitude and develop and effective means of communication with local businesses;
- encourage the business community’s active involvement in economic development; and
- to improve workforce data for Nelson.
Research findings suggest that the following action areas have the greatest potential to improve the business climate:
- workforce - recruitment and retention;
- youth employment;
- business growth and expansion;
- small and independent businesses;
- supply sourcing and procurement;
- training;
- succession and business planning; and
- airport service.
Basin-Boundary Agricultural Planning: The Regional Perspective