City of opportunity: Powell River after the mill

Powell River’s economic fortunes have been tied to the pulp and paper mill since the city’s founding in 1911. After nearly a century of assured work and revenue, the mill began to reduce operations, which had a negative impact on the city’s prosperity. The mayor of Powell River called together an Economic Revitalization Task Force in 2013, to create a plan for economic development in the city based on ideas put forward by him and the Powell River Regional Economic Development Society (PRREDS). The Task Force, composed of members of PRREDS, city councillors and citizens of Powell River, assessed the costs and benefits of those ideas, and developed concepts of their own, ultimately providing the city with a list of 85 activities to pursue. This thesis explores the background of the city and the Task Force, and examines the social and economic environment that led to the final recommendations.