The City of Richmond, City of Surrey and Township of Langley have received a British Columbia Economic Development Association (BCEDA) Award recognizing achievement in initiatives to support economic development.
The three municipalities won the Economic Recovery and Resiliency Award for communities over 20,000 in population for their joint Supply Chain Resiliency Program. Developed to support businesses during the pandemic, it identified existing industrial capabilities that could be retooled to support future emergency production needs, and helped manufacturers diversify by focusing on emerging opportunities in new sectors.
“Recognizing and supporting businesses through the challenges of the pandemic was a cornerstone of Richmond’s economic strategy,” said Mayor Malcolm Brodie. “By working closely with our partners in Surrey and Langley to identify and implement meaningful supports, the Supply Chain Resiliency Program helped businesses succeed in a rapidly-changing market. This award recognizes that innovative partnership and the work of all involved.”
The Supply Chain Resiliency Program was a joint initiative of the three municipalities and involved three key deliverables – an industrial capabilities inventory; a toolkit for de-risking emerging market opportunities; and a seminar series educating manufacturers to adopt technology. Over 380 manufacturers participated in the program, and more than 200 manufacturing businesses took part in in Technology Adoption Workshops.
"I would like to commend staff for their exemplary work on this Economic Development initiative,” said Surrey Mayor Brenda Locke. “Utilizing creative collaborative processes, the Supply Chain Resiliency Program was a unique project both in terms of its research methodology and its deliverables. The outcomes can now inform regional economic development efforts and encourage investment and innovation in B.C.'s manufacturing space. I thank the City of Richmond and the Township of Langley for partnering with the City of Surrey on this award-winning initiative."
BCEDA’s Economic Recovery and Resiliency award recognizes programs and projects that represent a successful recovery initiative from natural and man-made disasters. That included COVID-19, as well as submissions that represent replicable measures undertaken to promote long term resiliency and/or sustainability from future disasters.
For over 30 years, the BCEDA has presented its Economic Development Awards to individuals and groups who have dedicated their time to community-based economic development and made a meaningful difference in their communities. This year, BCEDA teamed with FortisBC to announce the winners at the Penticton Trade and Convention Centre during the BC Economic Summit.