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Message from Western Economic Diversification - Stephen Cowell
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The Community Futures Development Corporation of Sto:lo has made amazing progress during the last year and a
half. The organization has gone through a redevelopment and is now focusing on a very different service niche
than it did before. This Community Futures Development Corporation is now helping entrepreneurs get started or
continue to grow their businesses with a full range of business services available from the CFDC. I'm impressed
at the strength of this new direction.
I've worked amongst First Nations for over 25 years and I have witnessed many advances and positive changes to
First Nations Communities and individuals in matters related to health and education. However, employment still
lags far too far behind MY personal opinion is that there are a lot of 'yet to be known' entrepreneurs amongst
this important population group: the time for development of economic opportunities for First Nations Communities
and individuals has come. It is currently the missing element for successful communities. Community Futures can
make a big contribution to the overall economic development picture, working along side other Sto:lo development
organizations.
I have also worked for the Federal Government for over 25 years and frankly the Community Futures concept is the
best I've seen. It allows communities to design and work toward their own solutions, custom made for their own
particular needs. Grass roots solutions really work! My department, Western Economic Diversification, WD for
short, is proud to be a player in rural sustainable development through the Community Futures Development
Corporations. We are also pleased to be working with Sto:lo Nation who are really starting to bring some
economic development results through their Community Futures Development Corporation.
Stephen Cowell
Western Economic Diversification Canada
700-601 West Hastings St.
Vancouver, British Columbia, V6B 5G9
Phone: (604) 666-5332
1-888-338 WEST (9378)
Fax: (604) 666-2353
Email: stephen.cowell@wd.gc.ca
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