16-97 Economic Alliance

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Expanding Our Economies

About the Alliance

Alliance members believe in the following guiding principles:

  • Inclusiveness, including Aboriginal involvement
  • Regional thinking
  • Measurement through benchmarking
  • Focus on economic clusters
  • Building regional advantages

The 16/97 Economic Alliance is:

  • An active table of engagement for regional economic development practitioners
  • An effective venue for “intelligence sharing”
  • A venue for project development discussions and a catalyst for regional partnerships
  • An active community of practice/opportunity for professional development for regional economic development practitioners

Developing and Sharing Capacity

We share information about learning opportunities with our member organizations, and support access to professional development.

Networking and Relationship Building

We support the development of collaborative and trusting relationships between organizations concerned with regional economic development, and foster relationships with organizations representing diverse groups of members.   Specifically, we:

  • Rotate responsibilities to organize networking events throughout the region
  • Hold at least two in-person Forums each year
  • Hold regular meetings open to all members
  • Build networking opportunities for Alliance members into other events that we are attending. (for instance, a hosted breakfast speaker before a mining event, or lunch together at a conference)
  • Ensure Alliance members are aware of events, consultations, fairs and conferences being sponsored by member organizations.

Communication and Information Sharing

We focus resources to ensure a continuous and strong flow of information between Alliance members, through our on-line Signposts newsletter published four times per year, distributing time-sensitive information and requests from members, contract regional benchmark reporting every second year.

The Alliance brings together economic development organizations throughout the region.  The Alliance will arrange networking and educational sessions in response to needs identified by Alliance members.  The monthly meetings are public for all members.  If you would like information on how to become a member or how to get involved in meetings and networking opportunities, please contact us! 

The Alliance operates as a non-profit society, with extensive support from an original seed grant from the Province of British Columbia, on-going support from the Regional District of Fraser Fort George, and extensive volunteer support from its members. 

2009-2011 Action Plan

Members of the 16/97 Economic Alliance met in McBride, BC October 14 and 15 for networking and planning.  The intent was to develop a five year Strategic Plan for the organization.  Due to illness and other commitments, fewer members than expected (approximately 12) were able to participate throughout the two days.  Fortunately, this group included long-time members of the Alliance, more recently involved members, and some who were attending for the first time. 
With substantive discussion about the rationale for the Alliance and opportunities for its future, and with the support for an external facilitator for a two-hour planning session, this shorter-term, draft Action Plan was developed in lieu of a full Strategic Plan.
The actions outlined below are drawn from the conversations, particularly the facilitated desires that the 16/97 Economic Alliance can be:
  • An active table of engagement for regional economic development practitioners
  • An effective venue for “intelligence sharing”
  • A venue for project development discussions and a catalyst for regional partnerships
  • An active community of practice/opportunity for professional development for regional economic development practitioners
  • Within the context of the Alliance’s broader focus on economic development, the Alliance itself can be a “cluster” of economic development practitioners

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Contact Information:


16/97 Economic Alliance Society

For Business, please contact Susan Stearns, Chair, at susans@cdfc.bc.ca;

Or

For Communications, please contact 1697economicalliance@cnc.bc.ca.

Website: www.1697economicalliance.ca