Powell River has a long history of valuing cultural assets, intertwined with its identity as a resource sector town. While economic drivers shift away from traditional resource industries, the town’s cultural assets remain a strong platform for economic diversification.
Already home to an emerging creative sector, the Creative Economy Strategic Plan leverages Powell River’s cultural assets into a sustainable economic driver. The project involved consultation with key stakeholders and the formation of a steering committee to identify cultural assets and opportunities for development. Specific deliverables included an asset inventory and a 5-year plan of actionable projects that will promote growth, innovation and entrepreneurial activity in the creative sector.
The strategy, completed in March 2019, is expected to benefit existing businesses in the creative sector, as well as proliferate new business concepts and entrepreneurial innovation. Anticipated project outcomes include new education programs for youth, the attraction of digital-media businesses, and new support for creative startups and entrepreneurs.
As we work toward inclusive and resilient economic futures, we do so with a deep appreciation for the histories, contributions, and rights of the Kwak̓wala/Bakwam’kala, Nuučaa̓nuɫ, Éy7á7juuthem, Ligwilda'xw, Pəntl'áč, She shashishalhem, Hul’q’umi’num’, diitiidʔaatx̣, SENĆOŦEN, Skwxwú7mesh, Lekwungen, and T’Sou-ke speaking peoples.
