Economic Development in Nanaimo

Built on the principles of Donut Economics, the “City Plan-Nanaimo Reimagined” is a roadmap for building a thriving, sustainable and equitable community now and into the future. This plan identifies five interconnected goals to achieve the City’s vision. Goal five, a “Prosperous Nanaimo” is aimed at building a thriving and resilient economy. 

A Prosperous Nanaimo is about leveraging the city's strategic assets, growing a sustainable economy, and enhancing the exceptional quality of life by providing leadership, a culture of collaboration, and resources for growing investment and innovative practices in community development.  Enabling homegrown ideas, talent, and enterprises, while welcoming new people and energy from around the world, to advance our city's prosperity.  It involves harnessing our unique assets, generating interest and investment, and building upon what makes our city special.  A Prosperous Nanaimo is known as a great place to live, to work, and to experience.   

Vision: Nanaimo is THE city of choice, a vibrant, globally connected gathering place at the forefront of innovation in economic and community development. 

Mission: To leverage the city’s strategic assets, grow a sustainable economy and enhance Nanaimo's exceptional quality of life, by providing leadership, a culture of collaboration and resources for growing investment and innovative practices in economic and community social development.  

Economic development in the City of Nanaimo is delivered through a hybrid model of the Nanaimo Prosperity Corporation (NPC) and the City of Nanaimo's Economic Development section. 

Ecdev services include: 

• Supporting new start-ups, business retention and business expansion;
• Attracting new business and investment; and
• Promoting Nanaimo as a premier destination for new businesses and residents.
• Supporting film production in our City

City of Nanaimo Economic Development Section

The Economic Development section is a municipal function within the City of Nanaimo and works to develop a creative, dynamic and competitive business environment that fosters economic growth.

The Economic Development section works closely with the Nanaimo Prosperity Corporation and Tourism Nanaimo to lead and mobilize the community, local agencies, organizations and businesses to develop and implement strategies that will assist in strengthening our local economy.

Nanaimo Prosperity Corporation

The Nanaimo Prosperity Corporation (NPC) is the newly formed economic development corporation through which business, government, First Nation and community partners collaborate to build Nanaimo's economy, and increase the level of shared prosperity by those who live here. The NPC works closely with staff from the City of Nanaimo and the broader community to deliver the 2020 Economic Development Strategy.

The NPC is owned by the City of Nanaimo, Snuneymuxw First Nation, Nanaimo Port Authority, Nanaimo Airport, Chamber of Commerce and Vancouver Island University. The nine (9) member board includes six (6) owners and three (3) members at-large.

More information on the NPC can found in the Articles of Incorporation and Shareholders Agreement, which Council provided approval for on January 17, 2022.

The creation of the NPC was one of the key recommendations from the 2019 Economic Development Function Service Review.

Quick Links: