The BC Innovation Council (BCIC) was in Castlegar last week as part of their Regional Innovation Opportunities tour encouraging local companies and individuals to delve into the innovation and technology sector.
According to BCIC the initiative is intended “to bring business and local tech companies together and spark further innovation and job growth in our regional economies.”
The instructional and networking event promoted the idea that communities and businesses in the Interior can join in the new job economy through technology and innovation. Representatives from several companies from Kamloops were on hand to share how their companies had grown through introducing innovation and technology aspects to their businesses.
“You can do the same type of thing in small towns like Castlegar, Nelson and Trail,” said Castlegar Councillor Arry Dhillon, who attended the event.
The group was given examples of some challenges that large corporations are trying to overcome and encouraged that solutions could come from anywhere.
“The point of the event was to spark discussion around innovation and how that can be brought into regions like ours,” explained Dhillon. He thinks the ideas presented are a step in the right direction as we see resource-based economies faltering and tech-based sectors driving the future.
The tour is visiting seven cities with stops in Terrace, Kelowna and Nanaimo still to come in the next few weeks. BCIC is a Crown Agency of the Province of British Columbia. Locally BCIC is one of the funding partners for the Kootenay Association of Science and Technology.