City of Campbell River Economic Development

09/14/2026

Are tariffs or trade disruptions impacting your business, or is there potential for disruptions in the future? PacifiCan (Pacific Economic Development Canada), through the Government of Canada, is hosting two free information sessions to explain a new funding program intended for larger businesses and organizations designed to help companies build long-term resilience through turbulent economic times.

✔ Up to $2 million in non-repayable funding.
✔ Covers up to 50% of eligible costs.

Information sessions are taking place September 14, 2026 (today!) and September 21, 2026.

Learn more and register:
Regional Tariff Response Initiative in British Columbia: https://www.canada.ca/en/pacific-economic-development/services/funding/regional-tariff-response-initiative.html

09/10/2026

Did you know that investing in employee development helps businesses remain competitive? Existing programs such as the BC Employer Training Grant covers up to 80% (‼️) of eligible training costs and can help any employer build skills and sustain long-term growth.

Learn more at https://www.workbc.ca/employers-industry/funding-programs/bc-employer-training-grant

📸 Wild Shay Photography

09/09/2026

09/07/2026

This Labour Day, we’re celebrating the people who help strengthen Campbell River's economy. From trades and manufacturing to tourism, technology, and everything in between, it’s the people who live and work here who keep our community going. Thank you for all that you do to make Campbell River a unique and beautiful place to call home.

For more information on the region's largest economic drivers, check out the Alliance of Resource Communities page.

Photo: Tyler Cave

09/03/2026

September brings with it changing leaves and a new rhythm settling into Campbell River. With that is a chance to celebrate all that help make Campbell River a great place to live, work, play, and grow, such as our people, businesses, and parterships across the city and surrounding region.

Throughout the month, we’ll be highlighting the work happening across our community, from workforce development and forestry innovation to regional collaboration and business growth, along with the people helping to shape our local economy.

📸 Bluetree Photography

09/02/2026

08/31/2026

As the Strathcona Regional District’s Just Like Home Lodge and Health Professionals Housing prepare to welcome their first guests, the City of Campbell River’s physician support accommodation program is coming to a successful close.

Launched by the City’s Economic Development team at Council’s direction, our physician support accommodation program helped bridge a temporary gap while longer-term solutions were being developed. Over the years, it provided a comfortable place to stay close to the hospital for physicians, specialists, nurses, medical students and other healthcare professionals during short-term stays while they served our region.

We’re incredibly grateful to the Campbell River and District Division of Family Practice, North Island Hospital Campbell River, the Primary Care Network, Veyron Properties, and all of the partners who helped make this collaborative effort possible. It truly was a community effort.

With a comprehensive regional solution now in place, we’re proud to see this work continue through the SRD. These new programs will help ensure healthcare professionals and patients’ families are warmly greeted with an accessible place to stay when they need it most.

We’re honoured to have played a part in supporting healthcare in our community and look forward to seeing this important work carry forward for years to come.

📸 Photo courtesy of the SRD

08/28/2026

Last month, We Wai Kai First Nation announced its new Engineering Materials Testing Laboratory, making it the first Indigenous-owned materials testing facility to serve northern Vancouver Island and the surrounding coastal region. Its purpose is to test materials such as soil, aggregate, and concrete which all currently get transported to the mainland for testing. Having these services available locally will bolster infrastructure and development projects in the region while simultaneously create skilled jobs and many new opportunities in the community and Nation.

The project joins several other Campbell River initiatives supported by Island Coastal Economic Trust (ICET), including the Modern Entrepreneur Series, The Rail Yard Market, and the Business Growth Track. We've seen firsthand the difference this funding can make in helping local ideas and projects get off the ground; it's great to see another investment from ICET supporting economic development here in Campbell River.

Thank you to ICET for continuing to invest in Campbell River and our region, and a huge congratulations to We Wai Kai First Nation and everyone involved in making this exciting project happen!

🔗 Learn more about ICET's work and funding opportunities: https://islandcoastaltrust.ca

Pictured: Way Key Sand and Gravel

08/25/2026

Attention Campbell River Businesses.

Are tariffs, trade uncertainty, or cross-border market dependence impacting your business?

The Government of Canada's Regional Tariff Response Initiative (RTRI) is designed to help eligible B.C. businesses strengthen productivity, diversify markets, improve supply chains, and build resilience in response to U.S. and China trade disruptions.

This opportunity may be particularly relevant for businesses that:
• Generate 25% or more of revenue from U.S. and/or China sales
• Export products internationally
• Need to diversify into new markets
• Are investing in automation, technology, or supply chain improvements
• Have experienced tariff-related business impacts

Campbell River businesses are encouraged to review the program and explore whether their growth or market diversification plans could qualify.

🔗 Learn more: https://www.canada.ca/en/pacific-economic-development/services/funding/regional-tariff-response-initiative/rtri-who-can-apply.html