Overview
A diverse, resilient and energized Basin economy
CBT will work toward a long-term vision of the region where local
and regional economic well-being is actively fostered and the economy
is diverse, resilient and energized.
CBT recognizes
and respects that
CBT is committed to working toward the economy
of tomorrow, but is also responsive to the changing
economic landscape of today. Working in collaboration
and in partnership with Basin organizations to achieve
success in this strategic area, CBT aims to build on
the assets of Basin organizations and deliver programs
and initiatives in partnership with those organizations
having similar economic goals or interests.
Many other areas of CBT also incorporate economic
considerations and support proactive economic
activities, such as the Community Development
Program, Community Initiatives and Affected Areas
Programs, as well as CBT’s Investment Program.
Economic Strategic Goals 2010-2012
• Encourage the continued strengthening and
diversification of the Basin economy.
• Assist Basin communities in making informed
economic decisions and plan for future prosperity.
• Support the development of a vibrant and
sustainable entrepreneurial culture.
communities in the
Columbia Basin are
unique and have
diverse needs and
perspectives on
economic well-being.
Guiding Principles
• Integrated CBT will be consistently mindful that the
CBT’s work to address economic issues is reflected
regional economy is made up of integrated local
in its economic guiding principles:
economies, and that economic, social, environmental
• Collaborative CBT will collaborate with, and
and cultural considerations and actions are
foster collaboration among governments,
interconnected, and solutions to economic issues
businesses, communities and organizations that
should be appropriately linked to community plans.
share similar economic goals and objectives and
• Informed CBT recognizes the value of expertise
have complementary strengths.
and the use of the best available information to
• Active CBT will be responsive to local economic
support decision making processes.
opportunities and challenges and where
• Respectful CBT recognizes and respects that
appropriate, facilitate and lead action to advance
communities in the Columbia Basin are unique and
the economic well-being of the region.
will have diverse needs and perspectives on
• Realistic CBT understands that the economy in
economic well-being.
the Columbia Basin is impacted by a range of
• Fair CBT understands that businesses of the
forces, including macroeconomic events and
Columbia Basin operate in a competitive
conditions that can sometimes limit local influence.
environment and will seek to be fair in its activities.
w w w.cbt.org/ECONOM IC
Taking Action on Economic Issues
CBT also has specific actions which are currently
underway or being considered. Some of these
activities include:
• Bring together stakeholders to identify regional
economic issues and where possible lead action on
strategic priorities;
• Partner and collaborate on the coordination of
periodic forums and learning opportunities in the
Basin focused on the building of the Basin
economy;
• Provide funding for partnership initiatives
targeting labour force priorities;
• Assess what research into economic issues would
benefit the region and develop an action plan for
conducting or partnering on that research and
disseminating the results;
• Explore the development of a Basin youth
entrepreneurship program; and
• Create opportunities to contribute toward the
training of those considering or involved in
business management or entrepreneurship
through scholarships and bursaries.
Current Economic Initiatives
or training and helps Columbia Basin residents
adapt to meet employment needs. Residents can
access up to $800 to help pay tuition or course
fees for short-term training and for education
essential to securing employment. Funds are
paid directly to the education or training
institution on behalf of the student.
CBT will be
Application information and contacts for the
Training Fee Support Program can be viewed
online at www.cbt.org/tfs.
action to advance the
responsive to economic
opportunities and
where appropriate
will facilitate and lead
economic well-being
2010 Summer Works Program
The 2010 Summer Works Program provides up
to an $8 per hour wage subsidy to support the
success of small business and social enterprise in the
Basin, as well as creates up to 100 summer jobs for
students in the region. Benefits include:
• A wage subsidy to Basin small business and social
enterprise to provide summer employment for
high school and post-secondary students for the
summer of 2010; and
• A training subsidy for employers to increase the
skill sets of summer student employees.
of the region.
The Summer Works Program Guidelines and
Application form can be viewed online at
www.cbt.org/summerworks.
Basin Business Advisors Program
The Basin Business Advisors Program (BBA)
was created to build economic capacity in Basin
communities by strengthening and supporting
existing businesses. The BBA program assists small
and medium sized independent business operators
in the Columbia Basin by providing free one-to-one
confidential business counselling and assessment
services, and by arranging and cost-sharing specialized
consulting services if recommended by BBA staff.
Application information and contacts for BBA can
be viewed online at www.cbt.org/bba.
Training Fee Support Program
The Training Fee Support Program is a bursarystyle program that promotes access to education
Contact: Lisa Erven, Manager, Planning and Development
lerven@cbt.org
w w w.cbt.org/ECONOM IC
1.800.505.8998