Through the Board Strategic Plan and the Regional Growth Strategy, the RDN Board of Directors has emphasized the importance of sustainable economic development and local economic resilience to the long-term well-being of the Region.
To deliver on these priorities, the Board established Economic Development as a regional service in November, 2011. The Economic Development Service is provided separately for the participating Southern RDN communities that make up School District 68: Electoral Areas 'A', 'B', and 'C'; and the Northern RDN communities that make up School District 69: City of Parksville, Town of Qualicum Beach and Electoral Areas 'E'. 'F', 'G' and 'H'.
The Northern Community Economic Development Service operates as a grant program, where the RDN Board contributes funding to eligible economic development initiatives that advance the Board's vision for a strong, thriving and creative local economy.
The Board of the Regional District of Nanaimo adopted the following motion on May 26, 2020:
That the Oceanside Services Committee not proceed with the distribution of funds through the Northern Community Economic
Development Service in 2020 due to the economic uncertainty caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.
Following direction from the Board, the RDN has undertaken a review on the current state of economic development in the region with its economic development partners. On July 23, 2019, the RDN Board received a report entitled Update on Regional Economic Development Review, which is linked below.