An updated economic strategy for Powell River is in the works and city hall wants to know where residents see potential for growth.
Scott Randolph, City of Powell River manager of economic development, said the city released a short 15-question survey, which can be completed online or on paper, at the end of May.
Randolph said the aim of the survey is to get a sense of where the community sees potential for growth in Powell River and what types of opportunities they would like to see the city’s economic development focus on.
“One of the problems in the past was ascertaining exactly what public sentiment was on certain types of development,” he said. “Being able to establish what the public will is in regard to the focus of activities in developing the economy would help us greatly.”
In addition to the survey, Randolph said the city is also conducting wider public consultation through focus groups and interviews with business and community leaders to round out the new strategy. The plan will tentatively be released around the end of July or early August, he said.
In determining the strategy, Randolph said his office will take into account the public’s thoughts on opportunities and challenges, an analysis of the current status of the local economy and past trends, a look at available land base and what it could be best suited for and where current obstacles exist to growth.
Paper copies of the survey can be found at city hall, the Peak office at 4400 Marine Avenue and Powell River Visitor Information Centre. The survey can be found here: www.surveymonkey.com/s/Z9BFHPF
