As the regional economy shifts and changes, with declines in traditional sectors like forestry and fishing, the City of Campbell River is looking to expand into new areas of the economy, including high-tech. In 2017, Campbell River completed in an innovative open access broadband network, creating a competitive environment for tech-related businesses. Combined with lifestyle… Continue reading Campbell River Tech Strategy
SquareOne incubator was borne, in 2014, from the need to create a central networking hub where entrepreneurs, investors, students and service providers could meet and connect with the information and talent they needed to succeed. ICET supported the launch and scale up of SquareOne’s innovative programs and services. The incubator provided education and coaching assistance to entrepreneurs to… Continue reading Square One Tech Incubator
The Cowichan Valley is home to several digital animation companies, software developers, and thought-leaders in the tech industry. To accelerate and grow tech in the region, Economic Development Cowichan (EDC) has identified it as a priority for 2017. This project consists of the development of a comprehensive strategy to attract, retain and support the tech… Continue reading Cowichan Valley Regional Tech Strategy
Many businesses, including traditional resource-sector industries like forestry or mining, have become high-tech operations that need to digitally transfer huge amounts of data like 3D renderings, detailed maps or other geographic information. The challenge faced by these businesses, in communities like Campbell River, is the high cost of connecting to the existing fibre optic internet… Continue reading Campbell River Broadband Network
Historically, Texada Island has relied on logging and limestone quarries for the bulk of its employment opportunities. The decline in those industries calls for new approaches to attracting new businesses and families to the Island. In today’s global economy, Internet connectivity is no longer an option and Texada’s lack of proper Internet access was hampering… Continue reading Texada Wireless Internet Tower
Internet access – especially broadband – can be challenging to provide in many of the remote or difficult-to-access communities in the region, such as Lasqueti Island. For that reason, few of the large Internet service providers have extended their services to those regions. Since 2007, the Lasqueti Internet Access Society (LIAS), a non-profit community based… Continue reading Lasqueti Island Broadband Infrastructure
Communities in remote North Island areas were in need of a high-speed Internet service, which was not being provided by Internet Service providers. In today’s economy, the lack of Internet service is a serious barrier to development, business and resident attraction and retention. The Ragged Edge Community Network Society – a non-profit society that aims… Continue reading High Speed Infrastructure Development
Communities need year-round economic development opportunities that capitalize on their existing assets and demographics. The economy of Pacific Rim communities was heavily dependent on seasonal tourism and needed to diversify to be more resilient and sustainable. The region attracts a younger demographic on a seasonal basis and the development of year round opportunities presents an… Continue reading Advancing Pacific Rim Knowledge and Innovation
