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Community
Economic Development (CED) can be defined as action by people
locally to create economic opportunities and enhance social
conditions in their communities on a sustainable and inclusive
basis, particularly with those who are most disadvantaged. CED
is a community-based and community-directed process that
explicitly combines social and economic development and fosters
the economic, social, ecological and cultural well being of
communities. CED has emerged as an alternative to conventional
approaches to economic development. It is founded on the belief
that problems facing communities—unemployment, poverty, job
loss, environmental degradation and loss of community
control—need to be addressed in a holistic and participatory
way.
Community Futures Role in CED
A few years
ago, CFEK completed a Regional Community Economic Development
Strategic Action Plan. The purpose of this plan was to develop a
strategy that would help CFEK effectively participate in
regional CED.
Out of the
planning process emerged six priority areas for our CF to focus:
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Initiation of regional and
community issues and priorities research and analysis on
partnered basis;
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Development of regional planning and
regional growth management planning;
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Identification and support
of economic opportunities that derive benefits to the
region;
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Coordinate and facilitation
of CED-based activities and services within our region;
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Accessing and advocating
funding for the region;
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Implementation of
communications tool to share information and successes
Download the
full “Regional
Community Economic Development Strategic Action Plan.”
For more
information about Community Futures’ economic development role
and initiatives, please contact
Nikki
Bradshaw,
Community Economic Development Coordinator, at
250-489-4356 or
1-800-661-2293.
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