This week, the Province of British Columbia’s Ministry of Jobs, Economic Development, and Innovation (JEDI) announced the funding recipients for a second intake of the Rural Economic Diversification and Infrastructure Program (REDIP).
The new grant was created by the B.C. Government in 2022 with a goal to invest up to $33 million a year for three years to support projects that promote economic diversification, resilience, clean growth opportunities, and infrastructure development throughout rural B.C.
The Kootenay Outdoor Recreation Enterprise (KORE) Initiative is pleased to report that our application titled “Rec-Tech (RE)evolution: Innovative Collaborations in Canada’s Growing Outdoor Recreation Technology Sector” was one of the approved applications. The foundations of the application were largely based on the findings from our 2023 Sector Survey and the six roundtable meetings done last summer in Nelson, Invermere, Revelstoke, Kimberley, Fernie, and Trail. The goal of the roundtables was to identify the needs and opportunities for outdoor rec-tech within the Kootenays and thanks to engagement from KORE members and other industry players, we were provided a strategic direction for the next two years of the initiative.
And now, thanks to the REDIP grant, KORE has $448,750 to put towards the following programs and initiatives over the next two years:
- KORE Branding Campaign: Establish a globally recognized “Kootenay Approved” brand and use promotional campaigns and the media to attract a skilled workforce and further industry to the region through video and print.
- Kootenay Inspired Video Series: Showcase the Kootenay Region as a desirable hub for the rec-tech sector and welcome new businesses and workers.
- Sector Connector Database and Member Portal: Provide access to a comprehensive database of local professional services, logistic service providers, manufacturers, retailers, and suppliers.
- Rec-Tech Job Board: Increase visibility and coordination of employment opportunities in the region.
- Virtual Speaker Series: Facilitate 12 high-impact online events featuring industry leaders from the recreational technology sector, open to sector participants across Canada.
- KORE Outdoors Podcast: A bi-weekly podcast series to showcase key players in the outdoor rec-tech industry, aimed at educating and entertaining the local and national sector.
- Knowledge Nexus (Education Platform): Create an online collaboration platform and 20 facilitated webinars for local gear makers to support collaboration and knowledge sharing.
- Annual Roundtables: At least two industry roundtables addressing challenges through collaborative problem-solving.
- Scale-Up Business Advisor: Provide leadership development, creative services, business coaching, and access to business accelerators and funding resources.
- Digital Marketplace: Host a digital marketplace on the KORE website to support market expansion and visibility of local gear makers and designers.
- Makers Markets: Create multiple events to showcase Kootenay craft gear makers and promote shopping locally.
- Banff Mountain Film & Book Festival Awareness Campaign: Promote sector visibility at the Banff Film Festival, engaging over 45,000 participants.
- Peer-to-Peer Network: Develop workshops for skill enhancement and leadership development within the community.
- Next-Gen Student Mentorship: Facilitate mentorship opportunities between new gear makers and established manufacturers, promoting student engagement and female entrepreneurship.
- Re-Hub Circular Economy Business Development: Collaborate with stakeholders to implement a textile upcycling facility and skills training for industrial sewing machine operation.
KORE thanks the Province of British Columbia for this financial contribution to support our mission to advance the outdoor rec-tech sector in the Kootenay region of British Columbia.
For more information about JEDI and the REDIP program, visit the BC Government’s website.