Communities across our region are increasingly experiencing shocks—sudden, major disruptions such as the loss of a major employer or a wildfire. How shocks are experienced and their implications for rural economic development vary dramatically. It is important that our region and communities are proactive and prepared.
Quick Response Planning for Economic Disruptions
In 2019, the Community Economic Development Program at Simon Fraser University collaborated with Selkirk Innovates and Community Futures Central Kootenay to develop the Economic Resilience Action Plans: Toolkit for Plan Development. Based on feedback from communities who piloted the action plans, we set out to create (2025) and test (2026) a more accessible version.
The 2026 Quick Response for Economic Disruption Toolkit is made up of three documents. This toolkit is designed for communities to start building economic resilience capacity in a way that is specific to local priorities.
Document 1: Process Guide
- This slide deck provides important background information and guidance on applying the Quick Response Planning in your community.
Document 2: Fillable Template
- This document is the basis of the Quick Response Plan and is intended to be filled out after reviewing the Process Guide.
Document 3: Discussion Guide
- The guide will help prompt thinking, generate questions and provide insights as you review the Process Guide and fill out the Quick Response Plan.
In collaboration with partners across the region, the RIC is continuing to apply this work. If your community is interested, connect with the RIC to learn how you can participate.
To learn more about how economic development can be engaged as part of emergency response, check out the RDCK Emergency Response and Economic Disruption: Literature Review.
This work was supported by Mitacs through the Mitacs Accelerate program and by the Province of British Columbia.
Thank you to all the Local Governments and Support Organizations whose participation made this work possible!