Surrey, Richmond, Township of Langley Win BC Economic Development Award

Surrey, B.C. – The City of Surrey, Richmond and Township of Langley have won a British Columbia Economic Development Association (BCEDA) Award recognizing achievement in initiatives that support economic development. The three municipalities won the Economic Recovery and Resiliency Award for communities over 20,000 in population for its joint Supply Chain Resiliency Program that identified existing industrial capabilities that could be retooled to support future emergency production needs, and helped manufacturers diversify their businesses by focusing on emerging opportunities in new sectors.

"I would like to commend staff for their exemplary work on this Economic Development initiative,” said Surrey Mayor Brenda Locke. “Utilizing creative collaborative processes, the Supply Chain Resiliency Program was a unique project both in terms of its research methodology and its deliverables. The outcomes can now inform regional economic development efforts and encourage investment and innovation in B.C.'s manufacturing space. I thank the City of Richmond and the Township of Langley for partnering with the City of Surrey on this award-winning initiative."

The Supply Chain Resiliency Program was a joint initiative of the three municipalities and involved three key deliverables – an industrial capabilities inventory; a toolkit for de-risking emerging market opportunities; and a seminar series educating manufacturers to adopt technology. Over 380 manufacturers participated in the program, and more than 200 manufacturing businesses took part in in Technology Adoption Workshops.

“Recognizing and supporting businesses through the challenges of the pandemic was a cornerstone of Richmond’s economic strategy,” said Richmond Mayor Malcolm Brodie. “By working closely with our partners in Surrey and Langley to identify and implement meaningful supports, the Supply Chain Resiliency Program helped businesses succeed in a rapidly-changing market. This award recognizes that innovative partnership and the work of all involved.”

BCEDA awards recognize programs and projects that represent a successful recovery initiative from natural and man-made disasters, including COVID-19, as well as submissions that represent replicable measures undertaken to promote long term resiliency and/or sustainability from future disasters.

For over 30 years, the BCEDA has given these awards to individuals and groups who have dedicated their time to community-based economic development. This year, BCEDA teamed up with FortisBC to announce the winners of the 2023 BC Economic Development Awards at the BCEDA’s annual awards presentation held at the Penticton Trade and Convention Centre in Penticton during the BC Economic Summit. These awards recognize BCEDA members for outstanding work in supporting their local economies, and making a meaningful difference in their communities.