Imagine Kootenay (formerly Invest Kootenay) is pleased to announce its newest community partners: Golden and Area A.
The Town of Golden and the CSRD Area A are working together to use the Imagine Kootenay tools and services and seek new business investment for the region. Local management of the initiative will be provided by the Kicking Horse Country Chamber of Commerce.
Imagine Kootenay is a regional partnership of Kootenay-region communities that have joined forces to attract, retain, and expand business investment in their community. Current partners include; Nelson, Castlegar, Revelstoke, the Lower Columbia Region, the Columbia Valley region, Kimberley, Fernie, Sparwood, Kootenay Lake, Boundary Region, Nakusp and, most recently, Golden and Area A.
“Imagine Kootenay is one of the best examples of community collaboration for economic development in the Kootenays. Expanding the partnership to include Golden and Area A is of great benefit to us all,” said Garry Jackman, chair of Imagine Kootenay and RDCK Area A director.
Imagine Kootenay offers a free, online listing service for investment opportunities and businesses for sale that provides exposure to a database of over 1,300 registered investors.
“Not only does Imagine Kootenay promote the Golden and Area A for new investment, but it also supports succession of existing businesses by connecting them to potential investors,” said Ruth Hamilton, executive director for the Kicking Horse Country Chamber of Commerce.
The Chamber of Commerce is encouraging entrepreneurs and business owners from Golden and Area A to register their business opportunities at imaginekootenay.com.
“The Golden business community is filled with success stories of entrepreneurs who chose Golden because they were attracted to this amazing mountain community,” said Hamilton.
“Their stories will inspire others to invest here.”
The Invest Kootenay partnership’s commitment to attracting investment has made a difference to the Kootenay region.
Within the past five years, there have been 32 confirmed investments in Invest Kootenay listed opportunities, representing $7.5 million in direct investment to the region. Nine of these investments have occurred since January 2014.
The region’s participation in the Invest Kootenay partnership is supported by the Golden and Area A Economic Opportunities Fund.
Imagine Kootenay connects small business buyers and sellers in our communities. We are here to help attract investment and support workforce development throughout the Kootenay and Boundary region.
Imagine Kootenay strives to:
- Showcase the outstanding work, business and lifestyle opportunities in our communities through a marketing program that raises the profile of the Kootenay region.
- Provide interested investors up-to-date information about a community’s business environment.
- Improve investor readiness at the community level by providing tools and facilitating planning.
- Connect people to the variety of employers and opportunities available in the Kootenay region.
Imagine Kootenay is a joint initiative of local governments, economic development organizations and Chambers of Commerce in the Kootenay and Boundary region.
Current Imagine Kootenay Partners:
- City of Nelson and RDCK Areas E & F
- City of Revelstoke and CSRD Area B
- Town of Golden and CSRD Area A
- Creston Valley-Kootenay Lake (RDCK Areas A, B, C, Town of Creston, and Lower Kootenay Band)
- Columbia Valley Region (Invermere, Radium Hot Springs and Canal Flats; RDEK Areas F&G)
- Boundary Region
- Village of Nakusp
- Kaslo and RDCK Area D
Imagine Kootenay is managed and administered by Community Futures Central Kootenay.
Imagine life in the Kootenays
If the truth be told…you probably have imagined just that
Mountains and lakes surround the southeastern corner of BC known as the Kootenay region. You may have heard about it from the lucky ones who have visited. Some of them passed through on their search for the perfect balance of work, life, recreation and opportunities and never left.
This means that the region is full of people just like you. They made the decision to locate in safe neighbourhoods with great schools, surrounded by unrivalled natural beauty and limitless outdoor activities.
The Kootenay region is home to many communities, some high in the mountains, some alongside beautiful lakes or rivers, and others on fertile agricultural land. All of them are unique.
Take a look at some of the places you could live in via the links below and imagine a better life in Kootenays.
We think you will fit right in.
Community Profile – Golden, BC
Golden is a place where you will find the words authentic and community perfectly describe what people are discovering to be the quiet lure of a town rich in economic diversity and history, combined with an unassuming family culture of compassion, volunteerism, and a respect for community identity.
Here you will find the word adventure redefined from your first float down the world-acclaimed Columbia River wetlands, to your drive off signature hole 11 on our nationally acclaimed public golf course, to your first fall line at Kicking Horse Mountain Resort.
You’re going to love this place – we’ve got massive mountains, two big heritage rivers, six national parks, and a growing mountain ski resort, and we’re just 2.5 hours from Calgary. Come discover a place where community still matters and a town you’ll never want to leave.
