Thoughts on Growth
Prince Rupert is positioned to grow from the ground up.
Uniquely Positioned
As a region, we are uniquely positioned with ample resources – such as a deep water and ice-free port, rail access to all of North America, and proximity to marine, forest, and mineral resources. Prince Rupert is the transportation hub for the North Coast region. And we are part of a creative and innovative region with skilled workers who are ready to get the job done. We can take advantage of all this by prioritizing economic growth and increasing the city’s population – especially for young families.
This is not growth for the sake of growth. Instead, it’s growth for the sake of sustaining a strong community for people who live here. We already have what’s needed to build, expand, and grow our community – in terms of people, skills, knowledge, resources, and opportunity. So let’s put all this to work. Let’s grow our economy. Let’s grow our community. And let’s do it together.
- Grow the population by growing the economy – focusing on providing opportunities for young families to work and stay and supporting older residents with housing and health care so that they can remain in town if they want
- Build housing for families, seniors, and communities that’s affordable for low and middle income earners
- Continue to invest in community amenities and prioritize social infrastructure, especially health care and community parks and recreation facilities for a growing population
Growth from Within
We should focus on growing the city’s population from within, developing its economy, and expanding opportunities for people and businesses across the region – so that more young people remain here and that families who remain here will prosper in this community.
Focus on building housing and community amenities that serve everyone – from low to middle income – to provide housing security for current and future residents alike. This will allow older people to remain in the city as they age – especially as health care needs increase, will provide opportunities for young people to start a family here, and will increase the services available for residents and businesses.
A larger population base will ensure that we have the health care, shops, schools, and trades that are all essential to our quality of life. Families need good and stable jobs – building on the skills and resources of our region. Young people need opportunities that challenge them and that rely on their skill and dedication. And everyone relies on the services provided by health care workers, builders, and other community workers.
- Focus on building the community through housing, jobs, infrastructure, and expanded economic development at all levels of the economy (big and small business, private and public sector, etc.)
- Create a great business environment to attract and retain a competitive marketplace that delivers jobs and services to the community
- Align education and training with needed jobs and careers for our community and ensure that there are entry-level and career-paths in place to attract and retain young workers with plans of settling in Prince Rupert
Sustain a Strong Economy
Sustaining a strong innovation, resource, trade, and craft economy should be a top priority for our community, including jobs that responsibly transform the region’s resources into opportunities for sustainable economic growth and development. This requires a commitment to effective government, partnerships with businesses, and broad economic opportunity. It also requires respect and reciprocity and a commitment by all levels of government to local decision making and regional coordination.
- Focus on building from our current base of skilled workers – in the innovation, resource, trades, and crafts industries
- Incubate business development at the scale of Prince Rupert and for the place itself – focus on the marine economy, on trade and transportation, resource development, and local expertise
- Focus on value added crafts and industries – prioritize economic conditions for industries based in North Coast resources and expertise
- Start small and go medium – build a diverse economy with mid-sized enterprise at the heart of regional economic development that’s centred in Prince Rupert
- Improve performance of government-run public services and programs by shifting decisions to the local level, ensuring transparency, and focusing on accountable governance models
Image Source: Wikimedia Commons
