What does the research tell us?

What does the research tell us?

UNDERSTAND • CONNECT • MOBILIZE

Dr. Terri MacDonaldRegional Innovation Chair in Rural Economic Development

Selkirk College

Planning the Transition to a

Broadband Economy

• What fundamental concepts can help us understand the “broadband economy”?

• How is the Basin-Boundary economy changing?

• Do these changes suggest a shift toward broadband-dependent industries?

• What can we do to support the transition to a broadband economy?

Guiding Questions

Characteristics of The Broadband Economy

• A challenge and an opportunity for rural communities

• Characterised by:– Mobility (capital)– Collaboration– Innovation

• Flourishes with:– Skilled labour force– Adaptable business and government

• Strong participation from Intelligent Communities

Intelligent Communities

• Beyond “wired” or “smart” to “intelligent”• Use broadband to drive prosperity and inclusion

Forestry, fishing, mining, oil and gas

Construction

Manufacturing

Trade

Transportation & warehousing

Finance, insurance, real estate & leasing

Professional, scientific & technical services

Business, building & other support services

Educational services

Health care & social assistance

Information, culture & recreation

Accommodation & food services

Other services

Public administration

-4.0 -3.0 -2.0 -1.0 0.0 1.0 2.0 3.0 4.0

2000-2012 Change in Component of Workforce (Percentage Points)

Kootenay DR

Change in Employment by Sector


Construction

Manufacturing

Trade









Other services


-2.0 -1.0 0.0 1.0 2.0 3.0

2000-2012 Change in # Employed (000s)

Source: BC Checkup

Thompson Okanagan DR


Agriculture


Construction

Manufacturing

Trade









Other services


-10 -5 0 5 10 15

2000-2012 Change in # Employed (000s)

Agriculture


Construction

Manufacturing

Trade









Other services


-6.0 -4.0 -2.0 0.0 2.0 4.0 6.0

2000-2012 Change in Component of Workforce (Percentage Points)

Source: BC Checkup

Kootenay DR, 2000-2012


Source: Labour Force Survey

20002001200220032004200520062007200820092010201120120%

2%

4%

6%

8%

10%

12%

14%

16%

18%Forestry, fishing, mining, oil and gas

Construction

Manufacturing

Professional, scien-tific & technical services




British Columbia, 1987-2013


Source: Labour Force Survey

1987

1989

1991

1993

1995

1997

1999

2001

2003

2005

2007

2009

2011

2013

0%

2%

4%

6%

8%

10%

12%

14%

16%

18%

20%Forestry, fishing, mining, quarrying, oil and gas

Construction

Manufacturing

Trade

Professional, scientific and technical services

Health care and social assistance

Information, culture and recreation

Accommodation and food services

Com

pone

nt o

f Tot

al W

orkf

orce

British Columbia, 2006 - 2012

Change in Wage by Sector

2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012$0

$5

$10

$15

$20

$25

$30

$35

$40

BC Average Hourly Wage(Select Industries)

Forestry, fishing, mining, quarry-ing, oil and gas Utilities Professional, scientific and technical services Accommodation and food services

Year

Aver

age

Hour

ly W

age

Source: Statistics Canada, Labour Force Survey, Custom Tables

Kootenay Development Region, 2006 - 2012

Change in Wage by Sector

2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012$0

$5

$10

$15

$20

$25

$30

$35

Kootenay Average Hourly Wages(Select Industries)

Forestry, fishing, mining, quarry-ing, oil and gas Manufacturing Accommodation and food services Professional, scientific and technical services (Imputed)

Year

Aver

age

Wag

e (C

AD)

Source: Statistics Canada, Labour Force Survey, Custom Ta-bles

Basin-Boundary Region (Survey of 558 Businesses)

Historic Sales Trend by Sector

Source: Columbia Basin-Boundary BRE Project

0%20%40%60%80%

100%120%

Declining TrendIncreasing Trend

Business Expansion Constrained by Broadband Access

Agricu

lture,

fores

try, fi

shing

, hun

ting

Utilitie

s

Manufa

cturin

g

Retail T

rade

Inform

ation

Real E

state

Rental

and L

easin

g

Educa

tiona

l Serv

ices

Arts, E

nterta

inmen

t and

Rec

reatio

n0

4

8

12

16

20

Basin-Boundary Region


Wareho

using

Energy

Reli

abilit

yRoa

ds

Transp

ort / F

reigh

t

Energy

Cos

ts

Problem

s with

Dev

elopm

ent A

pprov

als

Broadb

and A

cces

s

Lack

of S

uitab

le Prem

ises

Other

Loca

l Reg

ulatio

ns (Z

oning

)

Identi

fying

/ Acc

essin

g New

Mark

ets

Lack

of S

killed

Staf

f

Financ

ing0

20

40

60

80

100

120

Barriers to Expansion (# of Businesses) Expansion Constrained by Broadband (# of Businesses)


Rating of Broadband Quality


0%

20%

40%

60%

80%

100%

120%

Poor/Fair Rating

Good/Excellent Rat-ing


Barriers to Growth in the Region


0%

2%

4%

6%

8%

10%

12%

14%

16%

18%

Telecommunications

Dependence on Certain Indus-tries

Selkirk College, 2000-2012

College Enrolment by Program

Source: Selkirk College

1998

1999

2000

2001

2002

2003

2004

2005

2006

2007

2008

2009

2010

2011

2012

0

20

40

60

22.3

Resort and Hotel Management

2000

2001

2002

2003

2004

2005

2006

2007

2008

2009

2010

2011

2012

0

20

40

60

80

33.6

Forestry Technology

2000

2001

2002

2003

2004

2005

2006

2007

2008

2009

2010

2011

2012

0

100

200

300

400

500

177.3

University Arts and Sciences

2000

2001

2002

2003

2004

2005

2006

2007

2008

2009

2010

2011

2012

0

20

40

60

80

43.0

Welding

Transitioning to the ‘New Economy’

• Knowledge economy - less volatile, draws the creative class / amenity migrants

• Resource economy – still key, need to find ways to support technology adoption

• Its not just about infrastructure, but infrastructure is an essential amenity attractant

Transitioning to the Broadband Economy• Innovative companies and institutions are critical

• Education and collaboration are at the heart of our transition• Technology to transform learning• Equip students with digital skills• Create culture of excellence for all (learning region)• Educate ‘skilled’ AND ‘knowledge’ workers

Innovation Triangle Success Factors

Businesses ‘On ramping’ to

support the transition to work

SchoolsConnect with career

& experiential learning

opportunities

Innovation Triangle

Active, innovative

collaborationGovernmen

tJoint strategy for

attraction, formation & acceleration

Colleges Supporting Technology Adoption

• Geospatial and Digital Media expertise – support to 222 companies:

• Training to 142 companies & 175 employees• Advisory services to 29 companies• Direct support to 11 companies

• Lessons Learned:• Build relationships and partnerships – serve as

part of the ‘landscape’• Assess needs and manage expectations• Get students involved & build capacity by doing

www.cbrdi.ca

UNDERSTAND • CONNECT • MOBILIZE

Dr. Terri MacDonaldRegional Innovation Chair in Rural Economic Development

Selkirk College

Planning the Transition to a

Broadband Economy

http://www.cbrdi.ca/

Documents

What does the research tell us?