Economic Development
Role of Nanaimo Economic Development
The Economic Development Office is a municipal function and works to develop a creative, dynamic and competitive business environment that fosters economic growth. The office leads and mobilizes the community, local agencies, organizations and businesses to develop and implement strategies that will assist in strengthening the local economy.
Nanaimo Economic Development
455 Wallace Street
Nanaimo, BC V9R 5J6
Tel: 250-755-4465
Fax: 250-755-4404
Toll Free: 1-888-810-3388
Email: Economic.Development@nanaimo.ca
What's New / Events
Public Input Requested in Nanaimo Economic Development Strategy
The City of Nanaimo is undertaking an Economic Development Strategy Review to examine future economic opportunities and invite consultation from the public and business community. It has launched two surveys to gauge the key issues, concerns and opportunities for economic development in Nanaimo.
Residents and businesses are encourage to take a short online survey designed to collect input which is intended to strengthen economic development in the community. Participants have until April 9, 2010 to complete the surveys. Click on the links below to complete the surveys.
Economic Development Review - Business Survey
Economic Development Review - Community Survey
The surveys were developed for the City of Nanaimo by EDCD Consulting working in conjunction with Nanaimo's Economic Development Department. For additional information on the project please go to www.edcdconsulting.com/Nanaimo.
Business BEST (Business Retention and Expansion Program)
The Nanaimo Economic Development Office began its BusinessBEST program in 2008, meeting with local business owners to:
- Identify businesses that may be at risk of leaving the community and help to resolve their issues so that they remain in Nanaimo.
- Identify how to assist businesses who are considering expanding their operations.
- Gather feedback about Nanaimo's business climate and receive suggestions to improve services.
To be contacted for a BusinessBEST interview, please contact 250-755-4465 or economic.development@nanaimo.ca
Victoria Producer wins Award for Amazing Nanaimo Commercial
The City of Nanaimo's "Amazing Nanaimo" commercial won Victoria Producer Howard Harding an Honourable Mention Retail Commercial Award. The Nanaimo piece was judged by consumers at a national level and gained recognition out of 220 other television commercials submitted. Click here to view entire media release.
Results of Business Confidence Survey
To gauge the level of business confidence in Nanaimo, the City of Nanaimo's Economic Development Office sent out a survey to all business licence holders in the city and asked questions regarding several factors contributing to overall business confidence levels, including staffing and investment plans, as well as current demand for their product of service. Over 1,000 businesses completed the survey, the majority of which predict their overall business situation will be the same in one year; only 4% of respondents predict it will be substantially worse. Although most businesses do not plan to make staffing or capital investments within the next year, a fair number still do (32% and 26%, respectively).
For a complete summary of this report, including statistical breakdown by industry sector, click here.
Destination Nanaimo Recent Stories
To read the latest Nanaimo travel articles, visit the Recent Story Media Pages on Tourism Nanaimo's site. If you happen to come across an article not listed, please send the information to Chelsea Barr at chelsea.barr@nanaimo.ca to have it added.
Large Olympic View TV for the City
When we say large we mean large! At 50 feet in width the new outdoor TV Screen covers most of the Port Theatre's back wall. The big screen TV is meant to provide Nanaimoites with Olympic coverage of the 2010 winter games in Whistler, but will have a lasting effect on Nanaimo long after 2010.
NanaimoQuick Facts
"The trend toward small business startups in Nanaimo
continues to grow"
"Net migration to BC has been increasing steadily since 1999"
"The median personal income of Nanaimo residents in 2005 was $24,553. Median income of residents in Nanaimo's north end is above the provincial median."
"Nanaimo's primary and secondary trade areas grew by 9.27% and 4.57% while the Tertiary trade area grew by 3.5% between 2001 and 2006."
"Nanaimo is home to a diversified economic base of over 5,400 businesses."
Frequently Asked Questions
Need a little help?
Your first stop should be our FAQ area, where we have answered some commonly asked questions.
