Regional Business Liaison
Prince George region
Mackenzie region
Robson Valley region
2023-2024 Regional Business Liaison (RBL) report
We successfully completed all our program goals:
✔️ 210+ business interviews ✔️ 630 shared resources ✔️ 6 round tables
Special thanks to Northern Development Initiative Trust for funding this project.
Community Futures Fraser-Fort George has released the highly anticipated 2023-2024 Regional Business Liaison (RBL) report, a comprehensive analysis of the economic landscape across the Fraser-Fort George region. Developed through in-depth interviews with 210 local businesses, the report provides insights into the unique challenges and opportunities facing small businesses in this area. This initiative, driven by Community Futures Fraser-Fort George with the support of regional partners, underscores a commitment to fostering resilience and economic stability within local communities.
The RBL report outlines tailored recommendations to strengthen the Fraser-Fort George region’s business landscape through strategic support and network building. Highlights from the report reveal distinct economic characteristics and resilience strategies within each community:
- Mackenzie: Home to many small-scale and microbusinesses, Mackenzie faces ongoing challenges tied to forestry sector fluctuations. However, a strong community spirit and commitment to diversification offer pathways to sustainable growth.
- Prince George: As the most diversified economy in the region, Prince George’s businesses demonstrate resilience, with significant investments in digital marketing and sustainability. This area’s robust infrastructure continues to foster innovation and recovery.
- Robson Valley-Canoe: The region’s economy, rooted in forestry, tourism, and agriculture, faces vulnerabilities related to sector-specific downturns. Emphasis on renewable energy solutions and sustainable practices is essential for promoting stability and long-term growth.
The report identifies key resilience-building areas such as access to capital, infrastructure enhancements, sustainability, and workforce development. Community and network building also emerged as a cornerstone, with collaborative efforts between businesses, local authorities, and community organizations highlighted as crucial for a sustainable and thriving economy in the Fraser-Fort George region.
Community Futures Fraser-Fort George invites community members, policymakers, and business leaders to explore the full report to gain a deeper understanding of the challenges and strengths within the Fraser-Fort George region. The complete 2023-2024 Regional Business Liaison report is available for review here.
Timeline
2020-2021 (extended to summer 2022): Funding through Northern Development Initiative Trust and the receipt of Covid funding from PacifiCan enabled CF FFG to enhance our regional outreach to support the businesses and communities during the pandemic. This was an 18-month program that provided an opportunity to provide relevant resources to the businesses and non-profits in the communities and to gather information on their needs (thus, identifying gaps in services being provided). A robust report was generated along with a summary of this report, and community/area specific reports; all are available by request.
2023-24: Launched June 1, 2023, CF FFG was the recipient of the 2023-24, Northern Development Initiative Trust Regional Business Liaison Grant, which provided an opportunity to enhance our outreach across the region. There is, once again, a part-time Regional Business Liaison placed in each of the areas (Mackenzie, Prince George and Robson Valley) and they are tasked with providing up-to-date resources to the businesses and non-profits while engaging with these communities to understand what has changed since Covid and where there is a need to fill gaps in support and services.