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Home / Business / Economic Development / Economic Development Recovery

Economic Development Recovery

The District of Port Hardy secured funding through the Island Coastal Economic Trust (ICET) Rural Business and Community Recovery Program to fund an Economic Development Recovery Officer to accomplish the following:

Review the existing Economic Development Plan (2012)
Consult and create and update to the existing plan with pandemic recovery as key for the community
Work with the local Chamber of Commerce on how support can be provided by the District to the business community
Work with the Visitor Centre on a strategy for tourism recovery programs for future visitors to the community
Review the Council Strategic Plan and Asset Management Plan to develop shovel ready projects including coordinating with contractors, consultants, and engineering to develop strong costs for submission with a focus on wording that will assist us in our capacity building grant applications in short order to ensure that we have access to much needed funds
Create materials including advertising that will support attraction and retention to the North Island
Develop strategies that will make the District economy stronger as we transition and navigate reduced or increased resource-based businesses.

Over the next 18 months (June 2021-December 2022) we have Sterling Productions, Patti and Carlye Smedley working with the District to achieve Mayor and Council’s Strategic Priorities and support the community through pandemic recovery.

Survey extended to November 15, 2021

Youth Survey (14-25)- Tell us how COVID-19 affected you

Adult Survey (25+) – Tell us how COVID-19 affected you

Meet your COVID-19 Economic Recovery Team

Patti Smedley is a long-time North Island resident who has worked with the Community Assistance Program, Targeted Wage Subsidies, and as the Economic and Community Development Coordinator for the District of Port Hardy under the tenure of former Mayors Hank Bood and Bev Parnham. She brings her passion for North Island Life and over 25 years of experience in strategic communications to the position.

Carlye Smedley is a recent graduate of Walla Walla University, earning her degrees in graphic design and strategic communication, as well as a minor in French. Carlye has worked in varying facets, as a Sponsorship and Fulfillment manager for the Walla Walla Fair and Frontier Days, as a Social Media and Marketing Coordinator for John L. Scott Real Estate and as a freelance graphic designer, Public Relations specialist and media creator. Carlye was born and raised Port Hardy and applies those deep roots, her faceted experience, and her passion for her work and community to this position.