Alberni-Clayoquot Regional Economic Recovery and Resiliency Initiative
The Alberni-Clayoquot Regional District is a large and diverse area of over 6,600 square kilometers centrally located on the west side of Vancouver Island with a total regional population of over 31,000.
Port Alberni looking down Argyle Street towards the Harbour Quay. Photo by robinb44 (Flickr).
Overview
Wildfires in the summer of 2023 forced the closure of Highway 4, which serves as a vital transportation route between Cathedral Grove/MacMillan Provincial Park and Koen Road. This impacted the flow of goods, services, and travelers for weeks.
The project is a collaborative effort led by the Alberni Chamber of Commerce on behalf of the Ucluelet Chamber of Commerce and the Tofino Long Beach Chamber of Commerce. It is in response to the economic impact of this event and will examine the losses suffered by local businesses and industries.
A consultant will be hired to uncover the immediate needs of the business community and inform targeted support measures. The main outcome of the project is to develop a report that will provide both the provincial and federal governments and related agencies with consensus regional priorities to invest in economic recovery and resilience for the Alberni-Clayoquot region in the short- and long-term. The final report will also allow all collaborators to better understand each other’s role in the event of a disaster and identify gaps where policy changes are needed.
Project Details
Project Impact
The Trust invests in projects using a Wellbeing Impact Framework that looks beyond traditional economic metrics. This approach evaluates how each investment strengthens economic prosperity, cultural vitality, climate resilience, and social empowerment. By focusing on outcomes that matter to people and place, the Trust works to spur new investments that create meaningful, lasting benefits across Vancouver Island and the coast.