Press ReleaseJune 10, 2021

The Nakusp and Area Development Board (NADB) is pleased to announce Aidan McLaren-Caux as the new Economic Development Coordinator for the Nakusp and Arrow Lakes region, effective June 1st. 

Thanks to funding from five sources, NADB is able to launch this 3/4 time role: 

  • Regional District of Central Kootenay 
  • Village of Nakusp 
  • Imagine Kootenay Capacity Fund 
  • ETSI-BC -Business Advisory Program 
  • Columbia Basin Trust (CBT) 

McLaren-Caux was a strong candidate among the 42 applications for the position. His history of hospitality management and entrepreneurship, combined with extensive community involvement – serving on numerous volunteer boards and Village Council – offers a bridge between local needs and broader programs and resources. NADB considers Aidan’s local presence key too. He has lived in Nakusp since 2010, raising a family here, and has a passion for making Nakusp an even better place to live. 

Aidan’s work will involve coordinating economic strategy and action with the NADB, serving the business recovery advisor role for ETSI-BC (see VV May 20, ALN May 13), being a point person for Imagine Kootenay (https://imaginekootenay.com), and other activities. NADB is supporting Aidan in this role with coaching by Mike Stolte of Nelson, a veteran of local community economic development. 

This approach will grow local capacity, benefiting our area more than external consultants holding the learning. With McLaren-Caux, NADB can give systematic attention to matching local priorities to resource opportunities, something volunteer board members cannot sustain on their own. Aidan can be reached at nakuspareadevelopment@gmail.com.