The City of Colwood has released its draft of the Economic Development Strategic Plan, designed to bring about some big and bold changes to the area.

And now theyB次元官网网址檙e taking feedback.

The planB次元官网网址檚 first priority is to create a full-time economic development manager position, and make economic development a core service to the municipality.

B次元官网网址淩ight now economic development is sort of off the side of our desks,B次元官网网址� says Iain Bourhill, director of planning for the City of Colwood. B次元官网网址淗aving a dedicated staff person would be a huge help.B次元官网网址�

Also high on the list is the development of a single resource guide for businesses coming into the city and exploring tax exemptions for non-residential development, as well as improving what Bourhill calls B次元官网网址渜uality of place,B次元官网网址� improving public spaces and B次元官网网址榮treetscapes.B次元官网网址�

In total, the economic development strategic plan details 24 specific actions that will B次元官网网址渟upport economic development, and enhance the CityB次元官网网址檚 competitive advantage.

And it will maintain a balance between growth and the CityB次元官网网址檚 unique culture,B次元官网网址� says the Colwood plan.

Further examples include creating a comprehensive waterfront plan, improving public access to the waterB次元官网网址檚 edge and public use of waterfront amenities, strengthening post-secondary presence, working to secure a performing arts centre or cultural centre, improving street edges on Sooke Road to reinforce pedestrian use, introducing sidewalks and bike lanes to calm traffic, improving overall housing affordability, and working to encourage business and mixed use developments.

B次元官网网址淎 lot of this stuff has been on our radar screen,B次元官网网址� says Bourhill. B次元官网网址淚tB次元官网网址檚 quite exciting.B次元官网网址�

The City stressed its commitment to sustainability throughout the plan, and was recently recognized as a B次元官网网址淐limate Action CommunityB次元官网网址� by the joint Provincial and Union of B.C. Municipalities Green Communities Committee, and was awarded recognition for its effort to reduce corporate greenhouse gas emissions.

Currently there is no budget in place to implement the economic development strategic plan as a whole. Instead, resources will be allocated for individual projects or actions as the plan moves forward.

The plan can be viewed at www.colwood.ca/economicdevelopment, and feedback can be directed to Iain Bourhill, director of planning, at ibourhill@colwood.ca or by calling 250-478-5999. The City of Colwood is accepting feedback until Sept. 19.

acowan@goldstreamgazette.com