Closed
Economic Development Capacity Building
Funding for local economic development capacity
Last Update: April 9, 2026
Funding available
$ 50,000
Timeline
- Open Date : November 1, 2023
- Closing date : March 31, 2024
Location
British Columbia, Canada
Overview
This program provides up to $50,000 per calendar year to support local governments with economic development staffing or activities. Eligible work includes planning, research, implementation, marketing, business retention, expansion, and business or investor hosting.
/100
Opportunity Score
Moderate potential, but conditions must align.
At a glance
Funding available
Financing goals
- Attract or retain talent
- Strengthen organizational capacity
- Conduct research or evaluation activities
Eligible Funding
- Maximum amount : 50,000 $
Timeline
- Open Date : November 1, 2023
- Closing date : March 31, 2024
Eligible candidates
Eligible Industries
- Public administration
Location
- British Columbia
Legal structures
- Public or Parapublic institution
Annual revenue
- All revenue ranges
Organisation size
- All organization sizes
Audience
- Rural or Northern Residents
Next Steps
1
Determine your project
2
Validate your eligibility
Activities funded
- Hiring and maintaining an economic development position
- Economic development planning and strategy development
- Applied research and analysis for planning and priority setting
- Economic development implementation, including diversification and promotion
- Business retention, expansion, and investor hosting
Documents Needed
- Complete application form
- Latest economic development strategic plan
- Job description, if applying for wages
- Quotes for activities, if applying for activities
Eligibility
Who is eligible?
- Local governments
Eligible expenses
- Staff or contract wages for an economic development position
- Third-party contracting and consulting services
- Transportation, accommodations, and venue rentals for business or investor hosting
Ineligible Costs and Activities
- Wages for combined positions where economic development is under 50% of the workload
- Benefits, bonuses, and allowances such as vehicle, phone, or living costs
- Lobbying, capital projects, beautification, and local government operational costs
- Office supplies, equipment, furniture, clothing, uniforms, hospitality, and giveaways
- Projects outside the approved year or outside Northern Development’s region
Eligible geographic areas
- Northern Development’s service region
Processing and Agreement
- Applications are reviewed on an annual basis.
- Applications received after March 31 are not considered for that funding year.
- Approval is withheld until prior-year reporting has been received and processed.
- Final reporting is required to receive reimbursement.
Additional information
- Applications are accepted annually between November 1 and March 31.
- Incomplete applications will not be considered.
- The application will not be approved until prior-year reporting has been received and processed.
- Projects must be completed within the approved calendar year.
Contacts
Frequently Asked Questions about the Economic Development Capacity Building Program
Here are answers to the most common questions about the Economic Development Capacity Building. This section explains what the program is, how much funding is available, eligibility requirements, application deadlines, and other important details to help you determine if this grant is right for your business.
What is the Economic Development Capacity Building?
This program provides up to $50,000 per calendar year to support local governments with economic development staffing or activities. Eligible work includes planning, research, implementation, marketing, business retention, expansion, and business or investor hosting.
How much funding can be received?
Economic Development Capacity Building Funds up to $50,000 of admissible expenses.
What is the deadline to apply?
The application deadline for this grant program was March 31, 2024.
Who is eligible for the Economic Development Capacity Building program?
To be eligible for the Economic Development Capacity Building program, you must:
Local government applicant
Within Northern Development’s service region
Economic development focus required
What expenses are eligible under Economic Development Capacity Building?
Hiring and maintaining an economic development position
Economic development planning and strategy development
Applied research and analysis for planning and priority setting
Economic development implementation, including diversification and promotion
Business retention, expansion, and investor hosting
Who can I contact for more information about the Economic Development Capacity Building?
You can contact Northern Development Initiative Trust (NDIT) by email at info@northerndevelopment.bc.ca or by phone at 250-561-2525.
Where is the Economic Development Capacity Building available?
The Economic Development Capacity Building program is available the province of British Columbia.