The City of Merritt is moving ahead on its economic development strategy, even if approval came later than expected.

City council approved the adoption of the strategy and directed staff to begin implementation within the recently approved budget at its regular meeting on May 27, which means some of the timelines set out in the strategy won’t be met, economic development manager Jerry Sucharyna told the Herald.

“Some of the stuff was supposed to be done in March and April,” he said.

“We’re not going to hit those marks.”

The 149-page economic development strategy was initially deferred from being adopted at the regular council meeting on May 13 so it could be reviewed at a Committee of the Whole meeting back on May 20.

Although some timeframes won’t be hit, Sucharyna said nothing in the strategic plan is unobtainable.

The strategy is intended to be a guiding document toward Merritt’s overall economy and sustainability, and is slated to fit within the draft tourism plan, revitalization tax exemption program and Official Community Plan.

The strategy outlines five goals: expanding and enhancing capacity for economic development; communicating for a collaborative approach to economic development; marketing Merritt as a vibrant and competitive community; increasing awareness of Merritt; and increasing tourism.

Under “Keeping Merritt Competitive,” the plan suggests putting art in vacant storefronts as was done in Dunsmuir, Calif., supporting home-based businesses, and marketing Merritt’s tax exemption program.

The plan recommends working with NVIT and area First Nations as well as conducting resident surveys to strengthen communication.

Council first directed staff to prepare an economic development strategic plan back in 2012. Last January, a draft of the plan was presented to council, but not adopted as council requested more public input.

Sucharyna told council at its May 27 meeting that the city sought public input through interviews, meetings and surveys.

Sucharyna told the Herald a survey regarding the economic development strategy was promoted online, in the Merritt Herald and on the radio.

He also said they opened up the survey a second time for people who told them they didn’t get a chance to respond to it.

He told council the city also targeted residents who liked the city on Facebook, allowing them to contact 75 people.

Over half of the 171 residents who responded to the survey on the city’s website earlier this year indicated economic development means new companies opening in the region (54 per cent).

Forty-seven per cent of respondents indicated it means more jobs, and 32 per cent indicated better lifestyle amenities.

Half of the respondents reported they perceive Merritt’s image as negative, while 60 per cent indicated they think non-residents perceive Merritt’s image as negative.

Reasons for the negative perception included Merritt’s reputation as a party town, has high gas prices, is dirty and dusty, and has high crime.

Reasons for positive perception were listed as Merritt’s scenic location, nice climate and community spirit.

Respondents indicated they’d like to see more development in Merritt related to health care (48 per cent), manufacturing (46 per cent) and retail (45 per cent).

The results of the resident survey indicate Merritt’s strengths are transportation access (76 per cent), climate (58 per cent) and proximity to major centres (53 per cent).

Challenges were identified in the resident survey as availability of jobs (66 per cent), high cost of business and living (42 per cent) and availability of retail, restaurant and entertainment options (41 per cent).

Of the 28 business respondents to the online survey, 63 per cent indicated existing companies operating with stability or expanding in the region is a prime purpose of economic development, while 42 per cent indicated it means new companies coming in. Improving the area’s reputation and creating more jobs were tied for third at 32 per cent.

The business respondents indicated the biggest barrier to business growth is resistance to change (50 per cent).

Sucharyna told the Herald the strategic plan gives the city a clear direction on how to support existing businesses, assist expanding ones and deals with foreign investment directions as well.

The plan can be viewed at the city’s website under the city council agenda for May 13.