Forestry forms an integral part of the Creston Valley-Kootenay Lake economy. More than 20% of the Creston-Kootenay Lake labour force is employed in the forestry, agriculture, or manufacturing industries. However, recent developments in the forestry sector, such as the persistent occurrence of wildfires, beetle infestations, and old-growth logging deferrals, have led to a decline in timber supply and pose a risk to the continued vitality of the Creston Valley-Kootenay Lake economy.
To help mitigate this risk, the Creston Valley-Kootenay Lake Economic Action Partnership, in collaboration with Kootenay Employment Services, has engaged the services of a Forestry Impact Recovery (FIR) Advisor. The FIR Advisor provides support to the local business community, especially businesses impacted by changes in the forestry sector.
Critical components of the work of the FIR Advisor are consulting with affected businesses and furnishing businesses with the tools and resources needed to pivot to more diversified and sustainable activities. Apart from acting as a central point of information on supports available to local businesses, the FIR Advisor also works to connect businesses to the technical expertise they may need to move their businesses forward.
