And just like that, it’s December! It’s been an incredible year of continued growth and celebration for us at the Trust and many of the communities that we serve. There’s a lot that I could say here about what has transpired in 2025, but I’ll save that for the team to share in our 2025 Annual Report.
There are two unique accomplishments that deserve to be celebrated, though:
First, we recently completed our annual update of the Intern Alumni webpage and, wow! It was amazing to see a significant number of alumni progress and earn positions with additional responsibility in local and First Nations governments around B.C. and beyond. We are accepting applications from host governments until December 15, 2025. Click here to learn all you need to know about hosting an intern for next year – Northern Development may provide up to $60,000 to a local or First Nation government to host an intern.
Secondly, it’s important to recognize the innovation that our small and medium businesses are leading throughout Northern B.C. Innovation is a (necessary) way of life in Northern B.C., especially in our rural and remote communities, where these entrepreneurs and their businesses are an essential part of their community’s social and economic fabric.
Finally, it’s certainly a time of reflection and celebration. In the midst of all of this business and busyness, I encourage you to take a time and reflect and set some time for personal rejuvenation during this holiday season.
See you in 2026!
Ben
P.S. We’re looking for a Communications Officer to join our team! Learn more and apply here.
DesignTIME Solutions Inc. recently completed a strategic marketing and communications project funded through Northern Development’s Competitiveness Consulting Rebate. Through this project, they received $26,914 to support the initiative which started in March and wrapped up last month.
To support the launch and growth of its flagship ERP software, Stackd, DesignTIME worked with an external consultant to deliver a comprehensive digital and marketing overhaul. This work included the creation of a new DesignTIME website, an expansion of the Stackd site from a single-page to a full multi-page WordPress platform and the development of coordinated marketing collateral, including social media tools and internal training resources.
The goal of the project was to build a professional and scalable digital presence that strengthens brand identity and positions Stackd competitively within the engineering software market. With an improved website, polished messaging and a clear communications strategy, DesignTIME is now better equipped to attract qualified leads, support clients efficiently and reduce reliance on external contractors.
The project is expected to generate long-term economic benefits, including increased market readiness, sustainable revenue growth and new job opportunities tied to expanded marketing and sales activity. These outcomes align with Northern Development’s objectives to enhance productivity, resiliency and competitiveness in Northern BC’s technology and engineering sectors.
How did hosting an intern help build internal capacity or advance projects? Hosting an intern increased operational capacity within Lake Babine Nation’s Economic Development Department. The intern gained hands-on training while contributing meaningfully to administrative tasks and community engagement activities. Their support strengthened project coordination for key initiatives such as Economic Development and Tourism Planning.
How did the intern contribute to broader community benefits? Interns trained through the joint NDIT–LBN program played an important role in organizing and facilitating community surveys and engagement meetings. Their involvement supported Economic Development surveys in Tachet, Fort Babine and Woyenne in 2024 and Tourism Planning engagement sessions in 2025. This work contributed to community-wide planning benefits.
How did NDIT’s funding support your ability to bring on and retain new talent? NDIT’s funding allowed Lake Babine Nation to recruit, train and mentor new talent. In 2024–25, the program supported an intern who was later hired permanently and has since made significant contributions to the Nation. Funding helps offset operational costs related to training and development, making long-term retention possible.
What long-term benefits have you seen from hosting interns? Retaining interns after their placement has improved departmental efficiency and contributed to long-term capacity building at Lake Babine Nation. The interns’ continued involvement has provided consistent, meaningful support to the Nation’s operations.
What would you say to other governments considering hosting an intern?
The NDIT Indigenous and Local Government Internship Program is highly recommended. It supports capacity building, provides meaningful training opportunities and helps develop future employees. The program strengthens relationships across Northern BC and connects graduates with valuable community-building work that supports long-term well-being and economic resilience.
At NDIT, we take pride in supporting emerging public-service professionals across Northern BC through our internship program. This support has had an overwhelmingly positive impact on the communities within our service region, with some of our former interns having since moved into their respective roles as Chief Administrative Officers (CAOs). Read below for a brief snapshot into their journey to CAO and how their experience as an intern impacted them.
Ethan Fredeen began his journey in 2020 with an internship placement at the District of Fort St. James. He is now Chief Administrative Officer / Corporate Officer for the Village of Fraser Lake.
“I loved my internship and will reminisce on my experience,” said Ethan. “Working in a small rural community was of great benefit, I received experience that will be an asset in pursuing future ventures and connections that will continue to be a support for years to come. Applying to this internship was one of the brightest decisions I have ever made.”
Michael Dewar completed his internship in 2016 with the City of Prince Rupert and is now Chief Administrative Officer with the Town of Smithers.
Michael Dewar (left) with three other former Northern Development interns, Summer 2025
“I am very grateful for the experiences I gained through Northern Development’s local government internship program,” said Michael. “It exposed me to a career that I find very rewarding and provided me with the resources, support and experience to thrive in local government.”
Lina Gasser started as an intern in 2015 with the District of Fort St. James and now serves as Chief Administrative Officer for the Regional District of Kitimat–Stikine. Her story stands as a shining example of long-term professional growth through the Internship Program.
“A career in local government can be exciting, rewarding and terrifying at times,” said Lina. “My NDIT internship cohort still remains the first people I call for help on, policies, bylaws or general procedure questions. I will be forever grateful to NDIT for my start in local government!”
Lina Gasser, CAO for the Regional District of Kitimat–Stikine
These stories show how impactful and meaningful the Local Government Internship program is, helping graduates launch fulfilling careers and building strong leadership capacity in Northern BC communities. Applications to host an NDIT intern close on December 15, 2025. Intern applications will remain open until February 15, 2026. Submit an application before it’s too late.
This month, we’re featuring Jordan Barrett, Manager of Partner Programs at Northern Development Initiative Trust. Driven by the people she collaborates with and the places she’s able to visit throughout the region, Jordan remains motivated by the opportunity to help communities with meaningful projects.
Can you share a bit about your background and what brought you to the Trust?
I graduated in 2020 from UNBC with a Bachelor of Arts majoring in Political Science and Environmental Studies with a minor in Human Geography (it’s a mouthful I know). Originally, I was placed with the Village of Masset, but unfortunately due to the pandemic I was not able to complete my placement there. I ended up working for the North Coast Regional District for one-year focusing on corporate administration and economic development, and learned valuable skills to take with me wherever I ended up post-internship. Towards the end of my placement, Northern Development was hiring for a Partner Programs Coordinator and I guess the rest is history.
What has been a professional highlight of the past six months?
A bittersweet professional highlight over the past six months has been the completion of two Partner Programs, the BC Hydro GO Fund and the Northern Healthy Communities Fund. These were the first two programs that I worked on when I joined the Trust in 2021, and seeing both come to a close is exciting and sad. There have been some incredible projects come through both funds and I have been fortunate to see the impacts of the projects in communities during some of my recent travels. While I am sad to see these funding programs close, it highlights the approval of just over $1 million towards supporting vulnerable populations in the Peace region with the BC Hydro GO Fund and over $25 million towards communities impacted by LNG and Coastal GasLink development with the Northern Healthy Communities Fund, and the work and connections I have been able to form that helped make it possible.
What initially drew you to non-profit economic development work in Northern BC?
When I was nearing graduation and was thinking “so what can I do with my degree?”, my one guiding principle was that no matter where I ended up I wanted to make sure that what I did made a positive impact for the community. Being able to work for Northern Development and help provide grant funding to communities to undertake necessary and worthwhile projects that will leave a lasting impact to residents of Northern B.C. has been incredible. Being able to work with so many different organizations across the North is one of the highlights of my role at the Trust, and what I look forward to each day.
Is there something about you that might surprise your colleagues or people in our region?
I absolutely love animals! No matter the situation or where I am, I am the person pointing out that there is an animal and likely staring at it. If I had the time (and the resources) to properly take care of them all, I would buy a large piece of land and take in as many animals I could; farm animals, traditional domestic animals, wild or exotic animals you name it I would probably take it (other than snakes, never could get on board with snakes). I recently went to the Miami Zoo on a vacation, and I took way too many photos and wanted to cuddle with them all – even the ones that would eat me.
What keeps you motivated in your daily work?
What keeps me motivated is the people I get to work with, both within the NDIT Team and throughout the region, and the places I have been fortunate enough to visit. One of my favourite aspects of the job is being able to get out into the region and see projects and people in communities where funding has helped make a difference. There are so many places within the Trust’s service region that I would have never thought I would go to that for one program or another I have now been able to visit. Being able to see the communities and connect with people in person, takes it from seeing a project come in on paper and connecting with applicants over the phone or through email, to seeing the real people and places that the work I do has an impact on.
Did you know we recently launched a new partner program for businesses? Our new Business Advisory Supports program helps applicants to access professional support for sustaining and/or creating employment opportunities or for addressing specific tariff-related impacts.
Eligible consulting project types include: market development, human resource management, innovation and automation, accounting, legal and more! Visit the program page and read the application guide for more information.
