People now have access to two new online community planning tools, offering easy access to data-driven insights and investment opportunities for communities across B.C.
Available to the public and local governments, including municipalities and regional districts, the Community Information Tool and the Community Investment Opportunities Tool provide central access points for community data, encouraging economic development and helping community planners and investment organizations thrive in the digital economy.
“I’m excited for the launch of these new planning tools as part of our efforts to offer a better, faster and easier service for people, businesses, and Indigenous and local governments searching online for data about communities in B.C.,” said Lisa Beare, Minister of Citizens’ Services. “Whether you work for a municipality or you’re a business owner, investor or community member interested in insights and opportunities, these tools can give you access to important community data.”
As part of the StrongerBC Economic Recovery Plan, the Ministry of Citizens’ Services received $700,000 to develop the Community Information Tool, including the integration of industrial lands data, which helps investors and planners identify industrial land vacancies for investment opportunities. The Community Information Tool and Community Investment Opportunities Tool are part of a suite of data-driven planning tools being developed under StrongerBC to provide communities with accessible resources for economic and community growth.
“Community development supports our work to build an innovative, sustainable and inclusive economy for all British Columbians,” said Ravi Kahlon, Minister of Jobs, Economic Recovery and Innovation. “Throughout the province, we’ve listened to local people’s need for community planning resources. Easy, accessible tools like these will allow our communities to strengthen and grow, helping to drive economic recovery as we emerge from the pandemic together.”
The Community Information Tool combines more than 40 public data sets, including census information, Data BC, the B.C. Data Catalogue and industrial lands information into one visual resource. The tool allows people to collect location-based data that they would typically need to search for on several websites. Categories include population, median household income, labour force, key sectors and connectivity. Users can also discover insights and patterns among B.C. communities using search filters for specific characteristics, such as economic health, access to education and health care, connectivity, infrastructure or emergency management.
Powered by the same database, the Community Investment Opportunities Tool connects investors with industrial, commercial and agricultural properties available for investment throughout the province. Community representatives can post properties available for sale or lease to investors. Interested investors can search for available opportunities by filtering based on various criteria.
The tools will assist economic planners to promote investment and plan infrastructure, helping level the economic development playing field between larger, well-resourced communities and smaller communities that might not have similar market access.
Quotes:
Roly Russell, Parliamentary Secretary for Rural Development –
“Meaningful community economic development is built on good information. So especially for rural B.C., easy-to-access and inclusive resources like this are a huge value for helping our communities thrive and grow. The launch of the Community Information Tool and the Community Investment Opportunities Tool will help people throughout British Columbia who are coming together to recover and rebuild stronger. These resources will support innovative and creative community development, and we are all excited to see that.”
Graham Truax, executive director, Innovation Island Technology Association –
“Accessible, inclusive resources like these online tools are important for community development. The launch of the Community Information Tool and the Community Investment Opportunities Tool comes at a time when people throughout British Columbia are coming together to recover and rebuild. These resources will make way for the kind of community development we are all looking forward to seeing.”
TORONTO – Canada’s main stock index was up more than 100 points in late-morning trading, helped by strength in base metal and utility stocks, while U.S. stock markets were mixed.
The S&P/TSX composite index was up 103.40 points at 24,542.48.
In New York, the Dow Jones industrial average was up 192.31 points at 42,932.73. The S&P 500 index was up 7.14 points at 5,822.40, while the Nasdaq composite was down 9.03 points at 18,306.56.
The Canadian dollar traded for 72.61 cents US compared with 72.44 cents US on Tuesday.
The November crude oil contract was down 71 cents at US$69.87 per barrel and the November natural gas contract was down eight cents at US$2.42 per mmBTU.
The December gold contract was up US$7.20 at US$2,686.10 an ounce and the December copper contract was up a penny at US$4.35 a pound.
This report by The Canadian Press was first published Oct. 16, 2024.
TORONTO – Canada’s main stock index was up more than 200 points in late-morning trading, while U.S. stock markets were also headed higher.
The S&P/TSX composite index was up 205.86 points at 24,508.12.
In New York, the Dow Jones industrial average was up 336.62 points at 42,790.74. The S&P 500 index was up 34.19 points at 5,814.24, while the Nasdaq composite was up 60.27 points at 18.342.32.
The Canadian dollar traded for 72.61 cents US compared with 72.71 cents US on Thursday.
The November crude oil contract was down 15 cents at US$75.70 per barrel and the November natural gas contract was down two cents at US$2.65 per mmBTU.
The December gold contract was down US$29.60 at US$2,668.90 an ounce and the December copper contract was up four cents at US$4.47 a pound.
This report by The Canadian Press was first published Oct. 11, 2024.
TORONTO – Canada’s main stock index was little changed in late-morning trading as the financial sector fell, but energy and base metal stocks moved higher.
The S&P/TSX composite index was up 0.05 of a point at 24,224.95.
In New York, the Dow Jones industrial average was down 94.31 points at 42,417.69. The S&P 500 index was down 10.91 points at 5,781.13, while the Nasdaq composite was down 29.59 points at 18,262.03.
The Canadian dollar traded for 72.71 cents US compared with 73.05 cents US on Wednesday.
The November crude oil contract was up US$1.69 at US$74.93 per barrel and the November natural gas contract was up a penny at US$2.67 per mmBTU.
The December gold contract was up US$14.70 at US$2,640.70 an ounce and the December copper contract was up two cents at US$4.42 a pound.
This report by The Canadian Press was first published Oct. 10, 2024.
