March 2026 - Newsletter

In this issue

In February we were reminded about the importance of people. Of community and of care. And while we know we talk a lot about economic development and investing in the North, what we are really doing in our daily work, at the crux of it, is doing what we can with the means we have to make this part of the province a place that is welcoming and worthy of the very special people who choose to call it home. 

Our service region experienced two tragic and distinct events over the past month, and our hearts go out to our neighbours. These two events, the shooting in Tumbler Ridge and the commercial property fire in Fraser Lake, hurt. We feel it, as humans. And we also feel it as an organization that exists to serve these communities – that’s why we refer to Northen B.C. as our service region. 

Being part of community means being a part of something bigger than yourself. And often, we have the privilege of celebrating community for the good and beneficial things that are being done. But, as we were reminded this month, being a part of community also means being there for the hard times to mourn and to provide support to move forward when the time is right. You can trust that we are here for all of it. 

We also realize that in the face of unspeakable tragedy, there are glimmers of people doing good. People who are actively using their skills and resources to care for their community. We’ve heard news reports of such instances: the Tumbler Ridge Public Library staying open (and even extending their hours) “to provide some sense of normalcy and comfort,” as head librarian Paula Coutts told CBC; and firefighters from Fort Fraser, Fort St. James and Vanderhoof to provide support and camaraderie in fighting the blaze at the Fraser Lake Shopping Centre.

We also see signs of hope for our collective future, and the good of people, in other areas of our service region. We reaped the rewards of years of dedicated hard work in attracting graduating post-secondary students to our internship programs (thanks to Wendy for energetically leading these efforts) with a record number of intern applications being received in February.  

Take care,  

Margo and Ben 

For our next staff spotlight, we’re excited to introduce the newest addition to the Northern Development team, Kaylee Braet, Communications Officer. Kaylee brings creativity, curiosity and a deep connection to Northern B.C. to her role, helping share the stories that highlight the impact of Northern Development’s work across the region. Born and raised in Prince George, she pairs her passion for local businesses and community-building with a strong background in digital marketing and storytelling. From uncovering compelling stories to shaping them into clear and engaging content, Kaylee plays a key role in showcasing the people, projects and partnerships that make the North thrive.

Can you share a bit about your background and what brought you to the Trust? 

I previously spent many years in the service industry, working at local restaurants and developing a love for the role they play in the community. During that time, I was able to lean into my love for photography and creative projects as the Digital Marketer for these businesses, which naturally led me toward an interest in storytelling. My time at a local brewery gave me valuable hands-on experience and sparked my interest in community-focused work. Being born and raised in Prince George has given me a strong connection to the North and curiosity about the many communities across the region. Joining the Trust felt like a natural next step where I can bring together my passion for local businesses, storytelling and Northern B.C. 

What does a typical week in your role look like, and what do you enjoy most about it? 

A week in my role is full of connection, collaboration and creativity. I get to connect with others to uncover great stories to share with the public and provide insight into what we do here at NDIT. From there, I focus on shaping those stories in clear and engaging ways. What I enjoy most is seeing the impact that NDIT has and helping shine a light on the great work happening across the North, including the people behind it. 

What hobbies or interests help you unwind outside of work? 

Most days you can find me at Sunset Studio, practicing yoga or toughing it out in a Pilates class. When I’m trying not to fall over into the person beside me in Warrior III, you can find me on a local trail walking my dog, or even on the golf course in the warmer months. I’ve been fortunate enough to do quite a bit of travelling in my life, with some of my favourite places including The Italian Dolomites, Amsterdam, and Montreal. Visiting a new place is something I always look forward to. It’s one of my favourite ways to recharge and come back with fresh perspective. 

What part of living or working in Northern B.C. do you value most? 

What I value most about Northern B.C. is the people. There’s a genuine friendliness and work ethic here that makes communities feel welcoming and supportive. I also really appreciate how community-minded everyone is. People truly show up for one another. On top of that, the easy access to nature is hard to beat. Being able to step outside and immediately find yourself on a trail that is surrounded by beautiful landscapes is something I’ll never take for granted. 

The Prince George Recycling & Environmental Action Planning Society (REAPS) has completed Phase One of the Growing Knowledge Community Compost Garden Education Centre, an important step toward expanding year-round environmental education and food literacy in Prince George.

Supported through Northern Development’s Community Development Community Places funding program, with $30,000 committed toward the project, the new education centre is being constructed at the Growing Knowledge Community Compost Garden, located on the traditional territory of the Lheidli T’enneh. The total project budget is $100,116.25, with funding approved in March 2025.

Operated by Prince George Recycling & Environmental Action Planning Society, the Growing Knowledge site is a well-established community resource that includes 58 garden plots, fruit trees, edible bushes, greenhouse beds and composting infrastructure. Additional garden plots were added in 2025, reflecting growing interest and participation from the community.

The new education centre provides a weather-resistant, accessible indoor space where community members of all ages can participate in workshops and hands-on learning related to sustainable food practices, composting, soil management and organic cultivation. Previously, programming was heavily dependent on weather conditions, limiting learning opportunities during colder months or periods of extreme weather. With climate change contributing to more unpredictable conditions, the addition of this facility supports more consistent, inclusive and resilient community programming.

Beyond expanding educational opportunities, the centre allows REAPS to grow its reach and impact. The facility enables increased participation, supports new and expanded programming and creates the potential for REAPS to relocate its headquarters to the garden site during the summer of 2026, further strengthening its connection to the community it serves.

This project builds on a longstanding relationship between Northern Development and REAPS. In 2020, Northern Development supported the organization through the Community Development Marketing Initiatives Program, funding a successful brand and marketing revitalization project completed in September of that year. Together, these investments reflect a shared commitment to building organizational capacity and supporting initiatives that promote sustainability, waste reduction and community well-being.

The Growing Knowledge Community Compost Garden Education Centre is a strong example of how community places funding can support practical learning, environmental stewardship and long-term resilience, helping ensure Prince George residents have access to the knowledge and tools needed to build a more sustainable future.

All In The Details, an event décor and rental business based in Big Lake Ranch in the Cariboo Regional District, has completed a major operational upgrade focused on inventory management, e-commerce and brand development.

Supported through Northern Development’s Small Business Recovery Consulting Rebate program, with $22,780 committed toward the $26,800 project, the initiative was approved in February 2023 and designed to help the business recover from significant disruptions caused by wildfires and the COVID-19 pandemic.

Operating since 2016, All In The Details experienced sustained challenges over several years as events were repeatedly cancelled or postponed. In early 2020, bookings and inquiries were exceeding expectations, with strong revenue forecasts for the year. When the pandemic halted weddings and events entirely, revenues dropped by more than 75 per cent, forcing the business into prolonged recovery mode.

Through this project, the business worked with a consultant to address three critical needs: developing a modern, interactive website with cohesive branding, completing professional photography of its full décor inventory and preparing for the integration of rental and inventory-tracking software within the website. Together, these upgrades streamline manual processes, improve customer experience and create systems that support future growth.

With automation reducing administrative workload and a stronger online presence showcasing inventory and services, the business anticipates a notable increase in revenue and the creation of new casual job opportunities. The improvements also allow the owner to shift focus toward business development and long-term investment.

Owned and operated by Lawni Langstaff, who holds professional certifications through the Wedding Planning Institute of Canada and the Institute of Wedding & Event Design, All In The Details is now better positioned to compete, grow and respond to future challenges.

This project demonstrates how targeted consulting support can help small businesses rebuild, adapt and emerge stronger, contributing to local employment and economic resilience across Northern BC.

In February, Northern Development staff were on the ground connecting with partners and communities through two well-attended regional events focused on collaboration and economic resiliency.

On February 19, 2026, Jordan Hammond, Manager of Economic Development (Cariboo-Chilcotin/Lillooet and Northwest), attended the North Cariboo Tourism Forum in Quesnel. Hosted by the City of Quesnel in partnership with the Cariboo Regional District, the forum brought together tourism operators, businesses, community partners and tourism agencies for a full day of networking and shared learning. The event was well organized, well attended and notable as the first forum of its kind in the region in roughly 30 to 40 years. Face-to-face conversations throughout the day reinforced the importance of relationship building and collaboration in strengthening tourism, an essential contributor to Northern BC’s economy.

Later in the month, Jordan Barrett, Manager, Partner Programs, presented at a member breakfast hosted by the Prince George Chamber of Commerce, sharing information about Northern Development’s Business Advisory Supports program. The session provided an opportunity to connect directly with local business leaders, answer questions and highlight how advisory funding can help businesses adapt, grow and create employment in northern communities.

Together, these engagements reflect Northern Development’s ongoing commitment to supporting people and communities through in-person connection, shared knowledge and practical tools that strengthen economic resilience across the North.

Northern Development’s internship program closed its latest application intake on February 15, 2026, marking a highly successful recruitment cycle and strong interest from students across the region.

This year’s intake received 68 applications, with at least one applicant from every engaged post-secondary institution. The broad campus representation reflects effective outreach efforts and growing awareness of the program among emerging professionals interested in building careers in Northern BC.

According to Felicia Magee, Senior Director, Economic Development and Programming, the results speak to the strength of recent relationship-building efforts:

“Thanks to Wendy’s hard work over the last two years developing solid relationships with post-secondary institutions, attending on-campus events and career fairs and utilizing the newly created intern-focused communication channels, we’ve hit some pretty spectacular milestones we are celebrating!”

The successful intake highlights the importance of sustained engagement with post-secondary partners and the value of creating clear, student-focused pathways into local government and community-based careers.

Interns from this intake will be placed with host governments across the North, supporting local capacity while gaining hands-on experience in community and economic development. Host communities for this intake include the following Local and First Nation Governments:

  • Central Coast Regional District
  • City of Fort St. John
  • City of Quesnel
  • City of Williams Lake
  • District of Lillooet
  • Village of Masset
  • Village of Pouce Coupe
  • Lheidli T’enneh First Nation
  • Binche Whut’en
  • Kwadacha Nation
  • Yekooche First Nation
  • Takla Lake First Nation

This strong response reinforces the internship program’s role in connecting talented graduates with meaningful opportunities in Northern communities, supporting workforce development today while helping build long-term capacity for the future.