Salmon Arm’s recent census report for population growth over the past five years is a big disappointment.
At 1.4 per cent total growth or 0.28 per cent average per year that really represents no growth at all. This combined with no new employers that offer above-average wages moving into the area over the last decade, is troubling.
City council, during the Feb. 14 council meeting, attempted to explain that economic development is not their responsibility as the city has a contract with the Economic Development Society to perform those duties. Council has spent over $1 million of taxpayer’s money over the last five years to secure a reasonable and sustainable level of economic development under this agreement.
People are now asking what have we gained from this arrangement and are we getting full value for the money spent. Are we accomplishing the level of results for adequate growth to support the community? With low population growth, no success with employer attraction and all the downtown store closures, council is ultimately responsible and accountable for this.
On a brighter note, 2016 was a good home construction year, not a record as one councillor recently expressed but this should spill over to the first half of 2017.
So what can be done to attract more people to Salmon Arm and in particular more young families?
Developing an economic growth plan with annual targets for population increases, job growth, housing needs, improved transportation system, increasing school enrolment and the resulting social and recreational needs for the community would be a good start.
We have the land for housing within the urban containment zone, we have builders that will build as needed, the school district would rather deal with rising enrolment versus declining student numbers and employers can be attracted to the area.
However success with the best of plans does not occur unless there are people who are responsible and accountable for the results.
Jim Kimmerly
Chairperson
Plan4Prosperity