Colin Stansfield has been announced as the first CEO of the Nanaimo Prosperity Corporation, a group designed to promote economic development and prosperity in Nanaimo. (Nanaimo Prosperity Corporation)

By Jordan Davidson

economic prosperity

Nanaimo Prosperity Corporation names first CEO of local economic development group

Mar 12, 2024 | 4:45 PM

NANAIMO — With a goal of fostering economic development between multiple local agencies, a Nanaimo-based organization has hired someone for the lead role.

Colin Stansfield has been named as the inaugural CEO of the Nanaimo Prosperity Corporation (NPC), an economic development group which partners with local businesses, governments, community partners and First Nations to help Nanaimo’s economy thrive.

Stansfield said he’s highly supportive of purpose-driven businesses and helping private and public sector organizations achieve sustainable goals which positively impact the community.

“Advocating for public policies that ensure the benefits of developments are shared equitably, and that there is opportunity for the entire community to participate in the economy. That experience and those commitments, I think, stand me in good stead to step into the NPC.”

Stansfield was the executive director of the Sunshine Coast Region Economic Development Organization since 2019.

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The work the NPC will complete is guided by Nanaimo’s Economic Development Strategy, with a focus on “sustainable prosperity, collaboration, and economic reconciliation with local First Nations,” according to Stansfield.

He said all of those ideas are centred around the donut economic framework, which he says describes the “sweet spot” of community planning where residents can have their needs met within the limits of their social and environmental capacity.

“With Nanaimo being a vibrant and dynamic city with incredible potential for balanced growth over the medium and long term, our challenge is to make sure that when facing such an abundance of opportunity, that we’re living up to those commitments…that we’re caring for the people that call this place home.”

Plans for an economic development agency within Nanaimo have been in the works for some time now, with the NPC, then tentatively called the Nanaimo Prosperity Agency, first brought up by city councillors in the summer of 2019.

The NPC is partnered with a number of local groups, including Snuneymuxw First Nation, the Nanaimo Port Authority, the Greater Nanaimo Chamber of Commerce, and VIU.

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