The Vision

The main focus of downtown revitalization is centered on integration. This has been created by the unique partnerships formed between the City of Chilliwack the BIA and a new organization created through these partnerships, the Chilliwack Economic Partners Corporation (CEPCO).

City of Chilliwack

Chilliwack Chamber of Commerce

Downtown Chilliwack BIA

Chilliwack Economic Partners Corporation (CEPCO)

CEPCO was created in 1998 as a separate company. Abandoning the municipal government-line department model, CEPCO sought broader corporate powers through the removal of municipal act limitations and saw the formation of a service agreement with the City of Chilliwack to perform economic development. In order to fund itself, CEPCO has generated revenues through land sales, hotel tax, government partnerships, and private sector contributions. This includes a long term funding commitment from the City of Chilliwack of $750,000 per year, which includes the establishment of own private sector Board of Directors appointed by City Council. CEPCO reinforces its partnership model through local stakeholder and community support.

CEPCO has identified downtown revitalization as one of its key economic foci.

CEPCO created a "Made-in-Chilliwack" economic strategy - based on a long-term vision and five-year plan. Based on fourteen action items, this plan also saw the creation of three organizations: Tourism Chilliwack, Chilliwack Agricultural Commission and Chilliwack Business Estates.

The Chilliwack BIA was established in 1995, with an annual budget of approximately $228,000. The first five years of this initiative were spent on beautification of the downtown area. To promote this strategy, the City of Chilliwack dedicated two million for capital improvements.

The key components of the new downtown strategy enacted by CEPCO are to focus on physical improvements through new regulatory controls. New strategies will focus on customer development, promoting the downtown as a vibrant and safe place. This new strategy is based on the identification of economic and business initiatives in the downtown, including new office development. Arts, culture, and partnerships with First Nations have also been identified as important factors to the growth and development of the downtown. This includes the launch of the new campaign "Downtown Works". The components and plans in planning for this downtown strategy were approved by the determining three parties: The BIA, the City and CEPCO.

---

Contact the Community: