Story by: Ron Toyota, Mayor of the Town of Creston

How do small communities foster economic development? There certainly is not a single “one size fits all” formula.

Increasingly, however, the answer comes in terms of regional initiatives. By combining the efforts of smaller communities located within a geographic region, it is often recognized that communities have more to offer the larger market when a collective effort is put forth.

With an eye to opportunities in the global marketplace, and building on the economic development work spearheaded by the City of Cranbrook, I recently had the opportunity to participate in a trade and friendship-building delegation, visiting cities in both China and South Korea.

The purpose of the trip was to promote economic development opportunities in the Kootenay region, with a focus on agriculture, tourism, mining, forest products and education.

The trip was a reciprocal visit to one undertaken by a six-person delegation from the City of Wonju, South Korea, last summer. That group was greatly impressed by the CrestonValley’s agricultural capacity and potential.

The decision to participate in the delegation to China and South Korea was supported by the Town of Creston’s council for a number of key reasons: the public’s ongoing request for increased economic development opportunities for both our community and our region; the recognition that, as a region, the Kootenays have much to offer Asia in terms of the economic sectors noted above; that the trip built upon the economic development work undertaken by the City of Cranbrook to promote our region to Asia; and, that the trip was a reciprocal event.

The budget is always a key consideration for any initiative. My total travel expenses were approximately $4,000, mostly for airfare. Expenses for accommodation, dining and touring in Taicang, Wonju and SekiCity were covered by our gracious host cities.

As invited guests, the respect and appreciation shown toward our group was outstanding. Our delegation also included: the mayor of Cranbrook (Wayne Stetski); a Cranbrook councillor (Diana J. Scott); Cranbrook’s economic development officer (Kevin Weaver); the College of the Rockies president (Nick Rubidge); and, the dean of international studies for the COTR (Patricia Bowron).

In addition, a Teck representative from Bejing, a Canfor representative from Shanghai, B.C. International Trade and Investment representatives for East China and the general manager for CanadAsia Management Development Ltd. (Paul von Wittgenstin) participated with our delegation, as did many senior officials from cities in both South Korea and China.

Our delegation’s tour points included Taicang Port, Taicang Science and Education Park, Chien-Shing Institute of Technology and the Yonsei University and Agricultural Centre (to name only a few).

For me, the most impressive highlight of our travels was spending time at the Agricultural Technology Centre, an economic development initiative created and paid for by the City of Wonju. This centre employs more than 100 people, with a mandate to assist farmers in becoming more productive, efficient and resilient.

In addition to visiting China and South Korea, I was able to route through Japan on my return trip. This itinerary allowed me to visit Creston’s sister community of Kaminoho, a reciprocal trip to the one made by representatives from Kaminoho in 2012.

This community relationship between Creston and Kaminoho has existed since 1991, with each community visiting its “sister” numerous times over the years.

My visit to the East has been the topic of many conversations I’ve had over the past few weeks. While there has been much support expressed for taking the initiative, there have also been questions of whether the visit was of significant benefit to the community.

I believe the value to the community is based in the possibility of economic outcomes.

Economic growth is often defined as “an increase in the capacity of an economy to produce goods and services, compared from one period of time to another.” By taking advantage of opportunities as they are presented, by staying curious and alert to possibilities and by being willing to showcase the capacity of our region, it is hoped that we can better position ourselves in the context of the provincial, national and global marketplace and achieve economic growth.

(Ron Toyota can be reached by phone at 250-428-2214, e-mail at Ron.Toyota@creston.ca or on the Web at www.creston.ca.)