“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.
Signage and Wayfinding Plan for Village of Nakusp
Working in collaboration with the Village of Nakusp, and a design contractor, we are developing a plan to install signage for the benefit of both visitors and residents alike.
Advisory Services
We maintain a current business directory and respond to requests from local business, non-profit or government organizations to support their economic resilience activity. We assess, offer options and connections to resources, and support first steps.
Partner Community for the West Kootenay Rural and Northern Immigration Pilot (RNIP)
We participate in this program where immigrants hired by local employers can follow a path to citizenship, and retain their skills locally.
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 individuals 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.
Participation on Small Forest Tenure Capacity Building Committee
We support efforts of the Nakusp and Area Community Forest (NACFOR) to incubate value-added forestry initiatives in our region.
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 |
| 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. |
| 2021-22 | 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. |
| 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 | |
| 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. | |
| June 2020 to present | Secured $385,237 in grant funding 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