The Cortes Community Economic Development Association (CCEDA) is pleased to announce that Kate Maddigan has been hired as its new Economic Development Officer (EDO) for a 2-year term. Kate brings extensive experience in community development work to this new position for Cortes Island, and has advanced many valuable local initiatives including: Village Commons development; value-added wood product business development; skills training for forestry workers; secondary education solutions for island youth; and many others.
The position was funded by the Province of British Columbia’s Rural Economic Diversification and Infrastructure Program (REDIP), through the Economic Capacity stream. Other coastal communities receiving REDIP’s Economic Capacity funds include Port Alice, Port Renfrew, Tofino, Ucluelet, Sc’ianew Beecher Bay First Nation, Yuułuʔiłʔatḥ Ucluelet First Nation, Port McNeill, Sointula, and others.
CCEDA is committed to taking a “community economic development” approach with this new position, one that is holistic, community-driven, and focused on generating greater well-being and prosperity for all Islanders. A special focus of the position will be to assist existing and new businesses with identifying opportunities and resources, along with helping locals gain the necessary skills needed to create a thriving and sustainable local workforce.
Specific initiatives for CCEDA’s new EDO may include
– Worker housing solutions
– Business mentorship & skills training
– Advancing value-added wood products recommendations
– An update of the Cortes Local Economic Action Plan (LEAP)
– Climate change action & Regenerative Tourism initiatives
– Assisting with the Village Commons development in Manson’s Landing
– Strengthening partnerships with Island Non-profits, and the Klahoose First Nation
Please find out more about CCEDA at www.cceda.ca. Kate Maddigan can be reached at Kate@cceda.ca for any inquiries about CCEDA’s upcoming community economic development initiatives.
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From Cortes Currents: Kate Maddigan, CCEDA’s new Economic Development Officer
