ISLAND COMMUNITIES LAUNCH “TECHISLAND” WEBSITE

VANCOUVER ISLAND – The best climate for growing ideas! With a common goal of developing a robust technology sector, eight communities working together as a part of the Vancouver Island Coast Economic Developers Association (VICEDA) are unveiling a dynamic new website www.techisland.io. Emerging from VICEDA’s Technology Attraction Strategy, TechIsland showcases the region’s technology infrastructure, its leading-edge tech companies and highlights the unique amenities that contribute to Vancouver Island’s excellent lifestyle.
Participating communities include the City of Nanaimo, the City of Port Alberni, the City of Campbell River, the City of Parksville, Cowichan Valley Regional District, the Comox Valley Economic Development Society, the District of Ucluelet and the Town of Qualicum Beach.
“This initiative is a call to come to Vancouver Island, a region that provides an affordable, high-quality of life for tech companies and families to grow” says VICEDA Chair and City of Campbell River Economic Development Officer, Rose Klukas.
Along with traditional resource sectors such as forestry, fisheries, aquaculture, tourism and manufacturing, these communities include emerging sectors such as aerospace, clean technologies, agri-tech and high tech. The new website showcases all the reasons technology companies should choose Vancouver Island to grow their tech company.
VICEDA sees incredible value in collaboration. “By marketing our region as a corridor of vibrant, small and mid-sized communities we are able to build on our combined assets, infrastructure, and supports to offer a wide range of technology-related investment opportunities” says Klukas. “The communities’ collaborative and supportive approach also ensures retention as you can see from the successful business showcased on the website!”
The region’s quality of life is a significant draw for industry professionals. A highly skilled and educated workforce with well-resourced universities and colleges is also a significant asset for tech companies. The Island’s excellent transportation network and proximity to major tech hubs in Vancouver, Seattle and the Silicon Valley adds value to the region’s competitive position.
“We continue to help our local business communities navigate the impacts of COVID-19, providing business recovery supports and look for opportunities to grow our economies,” says Klukas.
TechIsland received $20,000 in funding from the CanExport Community Investments program. Matching funding was provided by the participating communities.

About VICEDA
The Vancouver Island Coast Economic Development Association (VICEDA) is a non-profit society established in 1987 to support regional economic collaboration. Membership includes organizations and individuals working to address economic development issues in the Vancouver Island and Coast region.
The organization serves as a regional umbrella to provide a common voice on issues affecting the region and to lead collaborative initiatives to enhance the region’s economic opportunities.
VICEDA’s membership meets quarterly, in different communities throughout the region, to discuss current issues related to economic development, share information and best practices and develop new partnership and collaborative initiatives.
The new website can be found at www.techisland.io

For further information:
Rose Klukas
VICEDA Chair
Rose.Klukas@campbellriver.ca
(250) 286-5738