Economic Development Capacity Building
BC, Canada
Leverage the Economic Development Capacity Building program to boost local economic growth and capacity
grant_single_labels|summary
grant_single|eligibleFinancing
- grant_single|maxCount
- grant_single|projectCostPercent
grant_single|deadlines
- grant_single|timelineUnspecified
grant_single|financingType
Grant and Funding
grant_single|eligibleIndustries
- grant_single|allIndustries
grant_single|grantors
- Northern Development Initiative Trust
grant_single|status
grant_card_status|closed
grant_single_labels|preview
The Economic Development Capacity Building program provides financial incentives to local governments for hiring and maintaining an Economic Development Officer or pursuing economic development activities. Eligible activities include economic development planning, developing plans and strategies, conducting applied research, marketing, business retention, and investor hosting, with funding up to $50,000 available.
grant_single_labels|projects
Yes, there are several projects or activities eligible for this grant aimed at supporting economic development. Below is a list of eligible activities:
- Staff or contract wages to support an economic development position where economic development is at least 50% of the workload
- Economic development planning
- Developing plans and strategies
- Conducting applied research and analysis to support planning/priority setting
- Economic development implementation
- Sector development and economic diversification
- Marketing and promotion
- Business retention and expansion
- Business and investor hosting (maximum $5,000)
grant_single|admissibleProjectsExample
$50,000
Vancouver
Hiring an Economic Development Officer for downtown revitalization.
$50,000
Kitchener
Developing a regional economic strategy for attracting tech startups.
$50,000
Halifax
Marketing campaign to boost local tourism industry.
$50,000
Toronto
Research project on economic diversification opportunities.
$50,000
Montreal
Business retention and expansion consultancy for local merchants.
$50,000
Calgary
Hosting an investor tour to showcase local agricultural opportunities.
grant_single_labels|admissibility
The Economic Development Capacity Building program is open to local governments located within Northern Development's service region, prioritizing projects and wages dedicated to economic development activities. The program excludes several costs and combined positions where economic development is not a primary focus.
- Eligible Applicants: Local governments located within Northern Development's service region
- Eligible Economic Development Wages: Staff or contract wages where economic development constitutes at least 50% of the workload
- Eligible Economic Development Activities:
- Developing plans and strategies
- Conducting applied research and analysis to support planning/priority setting
- Economic development implementation
- Sector development and economic diversification
- Marketing and promotion
- Business retention and expansion
- Business and investor hosting (maximum $5,000)
grant_eligibility_criteria|eligible_expenses
Yes, there are eligible expenses for this grant.
Here is a summary of the eligible expenses:
- Staff or contract wages where economic development is at least 50% of the workload
- Developing economic development plans and strategies
- Conducting applied research and analysis to support planning/priority setting
- Activities aimed at sector development and economic diversification
- Marketing activities that promote specific economic opportunities
- Business retention and expansion activities
- Hosting of trade missions and/or investor tours (maximum $5,000)
grant_eligibility_criteria|zone
Eligible applicants must be located within Northern Development’s service region.
- Economic development at least 50% of the workload
- Projects that align with a community’s economic development plan
grant_single_labels|criteria
The application for the Economic Development Capacity Building program is evaluated and selected based on specific criteria to ensure alignment with the program's goals. Here are the key evaluation and selection criteria:
- The applicant must be a local government located within Northern Development's service region.
- The economic development activities or wages must be at least 50% of the workload.
- The project should align with the community's economic development plan.
- Must submit a complete application form, including the local government's latest economic development strategic plan.
- For wage applications, the job description must specify the percentage of time allocated to economic development.
- For activity applications, copies of quotes or a detailed budget breakdown are required.
- Proposed activities must be completed within the approved calendar year.
- Prior year reporting must be received and processed by Northern Development.
grant_single_labels|register
- Step 1: Review all program documents in detail to ensure understanding of requirements and eligibility.
- Step 2: Download and complete the Application Form.
- Step 3: Prepare supplementary materials:
- Local government’s latest economic development strategic plan
- If applying for wages, copy of the job description specifying the % of time allocated to economic development
- If applying for activities, copies of quotes or a detailed budget breakdown if quotes cannot be obtained
- Step 4: Submit the completed application form with all supplementary materials electronically through the Online Application System by March 31.
grant_single_labels|otherInfo
The Economic Development Capacity Building program by Northern Development Initiative Trust provides financial support to local governments for hiring economic development officers or pursuing economic development activities.
- Application intake starts from November 1 to March 31 each year.
- The program funds up to $50,000 for eligible projects per calendar year.
- Applicants must submit a final report by February 28 of the following year for reimbursement.
- Combines administrative roles where economic development is less than 50% of the workload are ineligible.
- Costs for CPP, EI, WCB, other benefits, and recruiting expenses are not covered.
- Projects influencing or lobbying any level of government are ineligible.
- Online applications are mandatory for submission.
grant_single_labels|contact
info@northerndevelopment.bc.ca
250-561-2525
Apply to this program
Economic Development Capacity Building Grant
The Economic Development Capacity Building program provides local governments within Northern Development's service region up to $50,000 annually to hire and maintain an Economic Development Officer or pursue various economic development activities, including planning, research, and marketing initiatives. Applications are accepted from November 1 to March 31 each year.
Comprehensive Guide to the Economic Development Capacity Building Grant
The Economic Development Capacity Building grant is an essential financial incentive designed to foster economic growth and capacity within Northern Development Initiative Trust's service region. This guide will provide an in-depth overview of the grant, covering eligibility criteria, funding terms, key economic development activities, application requirements, and reporting processes. Local governments seeking to enhance their economic development efforts will find this information crucial for successfully applying and utilizing the grant for maximum impact.
Program Overview
The Economic Development Capacity Building program aims to assist local governments in Northern Development's service region by providing funding support. The primary focus is to enable municipalities to hire and maintain an Economic Development Officer (EDO) or to pursue various economic development activities in alignment with their strategic goals. The ultimate objective is to promote sustainable economic growth, diversification, and community development.
Funding Terms
Each calendar year, eligible applicants can receive up to $50,000 in grant funding. These funds can be utilized to cover the wages of a dedicated EDO or to undertake specific economic development activities. The grant operates on an annual cycle, with the application intake period running from November 1 to March 31. It is important to note that applications will only be approved if the reporting requirements for the prior year have been met and processed by Northern Development.
Eligibility Criteria
To be considered for the Economic Development Capacity Building grant, applicants must meet specific eligibility criteria:
- Location: Applicants must be local governments situated within Northern Development's service region.
- Economic Development Wages: Funding can be allocated towards staff or contract wages, provided that economic development constitutes at least 50% of the workload for the position.
- Eligible Economic Development Activities: The grant supports a variety of projects, third-party contracting, and consulting services aligned with a community's economic development plan. These activities must fall within the specified categories outlined below.
Eligible Economic Development Activities
The grant prioritizes economic development initiatives that align with the strategic goals of the applicant's community. Eligible activities are categorized into two primary areas: Economic Development Planning and Economic Development Implementation.
Economic Development Planning
This category includes activities focused on developing strategic plans and conducting research to inform economic development priorities. Specific activities include:
- Developing Plans and Strategies: This involves creating comprehensive economic development plans, business retention and expansion plans, community and downtown revitalization plans, marketing strategies, and workforce attraction plans.
- Conducting Applied Research and Analysis: Applicants can undertake sectoral or economic analyses, collaborative research studies, feasibility studies, and market research to support planning and priority setting.
Economic Development Implementation
This category encompasses activities aimed at actualizing the strategic plans developed during the planning phase. Eligible activities include:
- Sector Development and Economic Diversification: Efforts to diversify the local economy, expand existing sectors, and attract new businesses or industries to the community.
- Marketing and Promotion: Activities that promote specific economic opportunities for investment, such as creating entrepreneurship attraction videos and other marketing materials.
- Business Retention and Expansion: Initiatives to support and grow existing businesses, including implementing actions identified in business retention and expansion plans.
- Business and Investor Hosting: Hosting trade missions and investor tours to attract business and investment. Funding covers costs related to transportation, accommodations, and venue rentals, with a maximum limit of $5,000.
Ineligible Costs
While the grant covers a wide range of economic development activities, certain costs are explicitly excluded from funding. These ineligible costs include:
- Salaries or wages for combined positions where economic development is less than 50% of the workload.
- CPP, EI, WCB, and other benefits, bonuses, or allowances (such as vehicle, phone, or living expenses).
- Projects that directly influence or lobby any level of government.
- Honorariums, membership costs, website hosting, and regular website maintenance.
- GST, legal, insurance costs, local government operational costs, and capital projects or beautification initiatives.
- Grants-in-aid, sponsorships, or projects not led by the applicant local government.
- Purchase of office supplies, equipment, tools, furniture, clothing, or uniforms.
- Hospitality costs, including meals, alcohol, entertainment, and giveaways.
- Costs related to recruiting, hiring, relocating, or terminating economic development staff.
- Costs associated with projects eligible for funding under other Northern Development programs.
- Expenses incurred outside the approved funding year or in electoral areas outside Northern Development's region.
Application Process
To apply for the Economic Development Capacity Building grant, applicants must ensure their submissions are complete and meet all specified requirements. The application process involves the following steps:
- Application Form: Complete the online application form available on the Northern Development Initiative Trust website.
- Economic Development Strategic Plan: Submit the local government's latest economic development strategic plan.
- Job Description: If applying for wages, provide a copy of the job description for the economic development position, specifying the percentage of time allocated to economic development activities.
- Activity Quotes: For activity-based applications, include copies of quotes for proposed projects. If quotes cannot be obtained, provide a detailed budget breakdown.
- Timeline: Proposed activities must be completed within the approved calendar year.
Reporting Requirements
Once the grant is approved and utilized, recipients must adhere to specific reporting requirements to ensure transparency and accountability. The reporting process includes:
- Final Report: Submit a final report by February 28 of the following year to receive reimbursement for the approved calendar year. Revised reports or requested information must be submitted by May 31.
- Reporting Form: Complete the reporting form available through the Northern Development Initiative Trust.
- Position Reporting: For positions funded by the grant, provide pay stubs or summaries to verify the wages covered.
- Activity Reporting: For approved activities, submit a ledger from accounting software, a completed reporting attachment, and copies of invoices if requested.
Contact Information
For further assistance or to discuss specific project details, applicants are encouraged to contact Northern Development staff. The contact details are as follows:
Northern Development Initiative Trust
301-1268 Fifth Avenue
Prince George, BC V2L 3L2
Phone: 250-561-2525
Website: www.northerndevelopment.bc.ca
By thoroughly understanding the Economic Development Capacity Building grant and meticulously preparing the application, local governments can significantly enhance their economic development capacity and contribute to the sustainable growth of their communities.
