Nanaimo Economic Development Corp. CEO

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Economic Development Head

Introduced To City Council

The Nanaimo Economic Development Corporation has recently hired a Chief Executive Officer to develop and implement its strategy.  Board Co-Chairs A.J. Hustins and Moira Jenkins introduced CEO Susan Cudahy to Nanaimo City Council at its November 7 meeting.

The Nanaimo Economic Development Corporation (NEDC) has been established to provide economic development and tourism services on behalf of the City of Nanaimo.  NEDC was established by City Council in the spring of this year with the consultation and support of the Chamber of Commerce, Tourism Nanaimo and the Economic Development Commission. Tourism Nanaimo will soon be ceasing operation as its function is absorbed by the NEDC.

As a quasi-independent corporation the NEDC will be able to operate in a more entrepreneurial manner than it would as a City department. The funding City Council used to support the economic development function has now been directed to the Nanaimo Economic Development Corporation. The NEDC is also able to generate revenues from other sources and provide services that are more regional in scope.

Susan Cudahy informed Council that the Economic Development Corporation is currently working on:

• Relationship building with collaborative local organizations;
• Establishing NEDC connectivity with provincial/federal partners;
• Developing a highly interactive business retention and expansion program;
• Reviewing options for a business incubator and centre for business collaboration in the downtown core;
• Transitioning the Tourism operations and maintaining the Visitor Information Services in the VICC as our new location is completed;
•  Establishing the sales messaging for externally representing Nanaimo globally.