“NADB is a valuable community partner which brought a much needed level-2 charging station into our community to increase traffic from EV drivers that might otherwise by-pass our community. Without their leadership on this initiative, it is unlikely this project would have made it from concept to reality.”
– Wayne Robinson, Chief Administrative Officer, Village of Nakusp
Transforming your ideas into economic opportunities
Community-led projects are at the backbone of the Nakusp and Area Development Board. Since our inception in 1989, we’ve not only accomplished our own goals, we’ve helped numerous organizations and businesses accomplish theirs.
We strive to engage with diverse sectors within the Nakusp and Arrow Lakes region from business, forestry, agriculture and tourism to recreation, health and arts. We work hard to unite businesses, organizations and local governments throughout all sectors in strategic planning sessions, to identify your needs and develop projects and solutions based on those needs.
We are inclusive and collaborative. Everything is done with the wellbeing of our community at the forefront.
Working in collaboration with the Village of Nakusp and Columbia Basin Trust, we will facilitate implementation of the completed, funded plan, for the benefit of both visitors and residents alike.
This is a community-driven campaign aimed at building awareness around and supporting the agricultural sector in the Arrow Lakes region. We aim to bring together small-scale farms, food producers, businesses and organizations to build a strong local economy centred around sustainable practices and healthy local food. This initiative includes a webpage, marketing, online directory, and a printed and digital food guide and map.
We’ve incorporated, and partner with, the Upper Arrow Housing Society to increase workforce housing and attract employees for local businesses.
Are you part of a business or organization that wants support to pursue an economic activity?
We’ve accomplished a lot since 1989…
| Year | Activity and/or accomplishment |
| 1989 | NADB nonprofit society formed by the Village in January, under direction of Mayor Rose Johnson |
| 1989 to 2001 | Formed two branches: forestry and tourism. Involved with issues such as timber licensing, ferry service, the local reservoir, promoting value added forestry, and working to obtain a community forest and a forestry training centre.
Secondary wood manufacturing study and inventory Tourism workshop and study; promoting the area as a tourist destination Nakusp Hot Springs development feasibility study Burton Trail project, interpretive brochures completed Engaged in a local industry directory Websites were developed for the NADB, NACF and NACFOR. |
| 2002 | Broadened sectors: Social, Heritage, Arts & Cultural, Education, Economic, Forestry, Tourism, Youth. Vision to recognize the developing needs of communities and promote wellness and cooperation among all non –profits |
| Business Vitality Index – Meetings led to Halcyon Home, Nakusp & Area Community Foundation (letters patent), Nakusp Logo, Youth initiatives opportunity identification | |
| 2003 | Bootstrap meetings – led to Nakusp and Area Community Forest (NACFOR), start-up funds for Music Fest, Wellness Festival, and Halcyon Home |
| Supported formation of Nakusp & Area Community Foundation with $10k to start endowment fund at Vancouver Foundation | |
| Handled the contract for the renovation of Terra Pondera clubhouse | |
| Handled contracts for trail building and maintenance to employ youth | |
| 2006-8 | Creation of Community Program Coordinator position, and Beth McLeod’s work; coordinate community events and calendar, implement tourism plan strategies, branding, signage inventory & updates, event & attraction guide, participate in Community Tourism Foundations Program – Tourism BC and marketing with Kootenay Rockies Tourism |
| Establishment of Affordable Housing committee | |
| 2005-6 | Visitor/Tourism Assessment by Roger Brooks Report – main street and tourism recommendations |
| 2006 | Participated in Cooperative Market Group with Chamber and Village |
| 2006 – 07 | Involvement with Village of Nakusp Official Community Plan |
| 2008 | Nakusp Branding Initiative leading to new Village logo |
| 2009 | Nakusp and Arrow Lakes Tourism Plan |
| 2010 – 11 | Nakusp and Arrow Lakes Economic Summit. Held six successive sessions focused on information and needs about major economic sectors in community (forestry, agriculture, recreation, etc.) |
| 2011 – 12 | Assessed feasibility of bio-energy in the Arrow Lakes region |
| Built and maintained a web-based local business directory | |
| 2012 – 13 | Business Retention & Expansion Survey with the Rural Development Institute |
| 2014 – 18 | Led Common Agenda process with Columbia Basin Trust (CBT), which led to: downtown revitalization, renovations to old fire hall, ‘Seekers’ social media program to promote the Village, Trails Master Plan, caboose museum, medieval festival, waterfront lights, NACFOR projects, broadband, plus… |
| 2016 | Main Street Boost report by National Trust for Canada |
| 2017 – 22 | Partner community with Imagine Kootenay, helping locals list their business or property for sale and providing information for potential buyers and developers |
| 2018 | Rental Property Management Feasibility Study |
| 2019 | Contributor to West Kootenay Boundary Investment Co-op, promoting investment in local business initiatives. |
| 2019 – 20 | Support for Broadband Initiative to bring internet service to all residents |
| 2019 – 21 | Partner in ‘Investment Ready Nakusp’ to promote land development: led to new property/subdivision developments, funding for zoning by-law changes, application to Agricultural Land Reserve to remove a Village parcel, and launch of ‘Develop Nakusp’ website. |
| 2020 | Tourism Development – report of recommendations |
| Holiday Buy Local 6-week project | |
| 2021 | Signed Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with Village of Nakusp and Regional District of Central Kootenay (RDCK-Area K) to work more closely to set priorities and be accountable for local economic outcomes |
| Raised funding and contracted with Aidan McLaren-Caux as our first Economic Development Coordinator, allowing NADB to expand service to the region | |
| 2021 – 22 | Established strategic economic priorities broadly supported by community
Fortified skills & relationships with numerous organizations that keep our area connected to potential resources i.e. Community Futures, Arrow Slocan Tourism, Economic Development Practitioner Network (EDPN), Imagine Kootenay, Government of BC, BC Economic Development Association (BCEDA), Columbia Basin Trust (CBT), Central Kootenay Food Policy Council, and more. |
| 2021-23 | NADB’s Economic Development Coordinator provided one-on-one advisory service and information about resources, to over 200 local businesses and nonprofit organizations. Improved outcomes for community group projects i.e. Summit Lake Ski Hill, Chamber of Commerce, Nakusp and Area Bike Society, Arrow & Slocan Lakes Community Services, and more. |
| 2022 | Obtained an EV Charger at marina, in partnership with Village of Nakusp |
| Completed one year Buy-local campaign to promote local business revenue | |
| 2022-23 | Completed Local Agriculture Phase 1 project; engaged with local farmers and producers to determine their commercial capacity and needs.
Launched Grow Arrow Lakes program, promoting and encouraging local agricultural production, 27 producers involved. https://nadb.ca/growarrowlakes |
| Invited to be Rural Northern Immigration Pilot (RNIP) program participant-helping immigrants recruited for employment in the region gain a path to permanent residency and citizenship | |
| 2023-2024
2025 |
Invited to Small Forest Tenure Capacity Building committee, with NACFOR & Woodlot Product Development Council-to plan and incubate value added initiatives in support of small, local forestry operators. Resulted in feasibility studies for log information exchange & co-op sawmill.
Completed a Signage and Wayfinding Plan in partnership with the Village of Nakusp. Launched and initiative to address workforce housing, in collaboration with the Village of Nakusp. New Business Advisors, Dawn Driscoll and Kristina Mogensen, provided advisory services to over 60 local organizations. Incorporated the Upper Arrow Housing Society in March 2024 and dedicated 50% of our economic development coordinator’s time to support development. Secured funding for, and ongoing work with the Village of Nakusp to implement the Signage and Wayfinding Plan. Through support from RDCK Area K Director Weatherhead, updating and expanding the Grow Arrow Lakes online food and farm directory, supporting local producers. Developed new brand and website: https://nadb.ca Hosted Economic Development Practitioners Network (EDPN) Annual Dialogue in Nakusp. Facilitated Basin Food & Buyers Expo (FABx) conference and trade show coming to Nakusp. Supported two years of Harvest ‘n’ Heritage fair in Nakusp. Developed concept for a ‘Community Hub’ and consulted with community groups. Updated and expanded the Grow Arrow Lakes online food and farm directory, and produced new brochure map. Collaborated with Chamber of Commerce to host ‘Grow & Connect’ event for local producers. Renewed partnership with Upper Arrow Housing Society, and continued staff support. |
| June 2020 to present | Have secured $445,264 in grant funding since 2020 to benefit community. |
“NADB is a valuable community partner which brought a much needed Level 2 charging station into our community to increase traffic from EV drivers that might otherwise by-pass our community. Without their leadership on this initiative, it is unlikely this project would have made it from concept to reality.”
– Wayne Robinson, Chief Administrative Officer, Village of Nakusp