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About HICEEC

Hornby Island Community Economic Enhancement Corporation (HICEEC)

HICEEC is a non-profit corporation established in 1996 to foster a healthy, sustainable and diversified economy on Hornby Island. HICEEC administers its own programs and works with partners towards achieving this vision. We welcome input from residents, businesses, property owners and visitors.

Our Mission and Vision

The mission of the Hornby Island Community Economic Enhancement Corporation or HICEEC (pronounced "high seek") is to take leadership in developing and implementing solutions to social and economic issues facing the citizens of Hornby Island. Our vision is a healthy, sustainable, resilient and diversified economy on the Island. Our objects include developing and implementing a strategic plan for the community economic enhancement of Hornby Island.

Who We Are

The Directors:

The Staff

(Sonja Goldsmith provides book-keeping services and Kevin McMahon provides website development and maintenance service)

Our Partners

HICEEC is a member of the Comox Valley Chamber of Commerce and works with other partners on specific programs and projects.

Building a Foundation for our Work: 2002-2006

From 2002 to 2006 HICEEC undertook a series of in depth community projects to provide a solid foundation for community economic enhancement work:

This work contributed to a number of collective and individual projects being initiated and has guided our subsequent undertakings.

Recent Programs and Projects: 2006-2009

Housing

Lack of accessible year-round housing is inhibiting the development of home occupations (a cornerstone of Hornby's economy) and is contributing to a labour shortage and demographic imbalance that could impact the vitality and sustainability of our community. HICEEC has been working to increase the community's capacity to address this issue:

In 2006-7 a Community Round Table on Housing was facilitated by HICEEC and met regularly to explore community housing needs and solutions.

In 2007 HICEEC organized a major conference on Housing Solutions for Small Communities in April 2007 which involved over 100 experts, elected officials and community volunteers from throughout the region sharing information and ideas.

In 2008 this was followed up with a regional workshop on Community Land Trusts which provided an opportunity for ISLA and other organizations to learn more about what is involved in implementing this solution. Also in 2008, HICEEC prepared a report on Enabling Secondary Accommodation Units in conjunction with the Affordability and Choice Today program.

In 2008-09 HICEEC commissioned a Housing Needs Assessment for Denman and Hornby Islands which will be an essential tool for establishing partnerships to implement housing solutions. In 2009 HICEEC worked with BC Housing towards establishing a Free Crown Grant for low-cost rental housing on Hornby Island and assisted in the formation of a new housing organization (Hornby Outer Island Housing Society) to provide this housing.

HICEEC provides information to the community on government programs that support housing affordability. On a continuing basis, HICEEC supports the Hornby organizations that are addressing housing through networking, sharing information and providing links to resources.

Tourism and off-season visitation

Tourism is a major element of Hornby Island's economy. It also presents challenges in terms of the annual "boom and bust" cycle, the stress it can put upon the Island at peak times and its vulnerability to external factors. HICEEC has been working with partners to help shape the kind of tourism that works best for Hornby Island.

In 2006, with the assistance of the Recreation and Tourism Research Institute (RTRI) at the University of Vancouver Island, HICEEC conducted a study of tourism on Hornby Island which included surveys of visitors and residents. A resulting report, Gem of the Gulf: Community Based Tourism on Hornby Island has been published by RTRI.

In 2007, HICEEC undertook a Community Tourism Project (Phase 1) which involved consultation with businesses and other entities to establish marketing objectives and beginning promotion activities.

In 2008, HICEEC initiated promotional and advertising activities to highlight "Hornby in the Spring" and conducted a visitor exit survey.

In 2009, the Community Tourism Project (Phase 2) was carried out including extensive marketing, a summer visitors' centre and support for community organizations' promotional efforts (including the Studio Guide and development of the Blues Society website).

Community Marketing

Marketing is a key element in the success of community businesses, most of which are home-based.

The Community Marketing Initiative of 2006, lead to the creation of realhornby, a community marketing service based upon sustaining Island values. On-going activities include:

Transportation

Transportation is a significant economic factor in island living. HICEEC has been exploring ways to address transportation options and costs:

Business and employment support

HICEEC has provided support to businesses and members of the workforce in a variety of ways:

Community support

HICEEC welcomes opportunities to work with community partners with similar goals. These have included:

2010/11 activities

Continuing programs

HICEEC continues to operate the realhornby marketing service and to provide businesses, organizations and residents with information and links to resources.

Small business workshops

Each spring and fall HICEEC organizes workshops for small businesses. In 2010 the Spring workshop (Stairway to Your Business Dreams) focused on business planning and the Fall workshop (On the Money) addressed taxation issues.

Employment support

HICEEC has provided travel subsidies for Hornby residents to attend initial appointments with the Job Shop in Courtenay while this service has not been available on Hornby. We have worked with the Creative Employment Access Society and the Hornby Island Education Society to have a Career Adviser re-established on the Island.

Alternative Transportation

We hosted "Gettin' Around" - a workshop on alternative vehicles and have provided the community with information on alternative transportation options.

Micro-loans

HICEEC has researched approaches to micro-loans and has begun a discussion with the Union Bay Credit Union on how to set up a program for Hornby Island.

Tourism

HICEEC continues to promote off-season visiting, including in partnership with the Hornby Denman Tourist Services Society.

Arts and Culture

We are supporting the reprinting of HIAC's wonderful Studio Guide and have advertised Hornby as an arts and culture destination.

Food and Farming

HICEEC and DICEEC are providing support for the newly-formed Hornby Denman Growers and Producers Association which will be an important vehicle for fostering farming and food production on our two islands.

Farmers Market

HICEEC is pleased to have been able to contribute towards the new power shed for the Farmers Market which will enable food and other services to be provided on the site.

Community Trades and Services Centre

HICEEC has been doing some preliminary investigating into what would be involved in establishing a Community Trades and Services Centre (or "business park" or "artisan's centre") on Hornby Island. (HICEEC had previously prepared a business plan in 1996).

Strategic Plan

The HICEEC board developed a Strategic Plan to guide the organization's work over the coming years.

A five-year strategic plan was adopted by the Board of Directors of HICEEC on 26 April 2010. It is envisioned as a rolling five-year plan which will be updated each year.

Its purposes are to:

HICEEC's Operating Principles

Goals and Objectives for 2010-2014

Goal 1

To facilitate the availability of resources to respond to economic needs and opportunities.

Objectives:

Goal 2

To enable the successful marketing of Hornby products on and off Hornby Island.

Objectives:

Goal 3

To support the growth of a year-round economy to reduce dependence upon the peak season.

Objectives:

Goal 4

To promote economic resilience to external factors, including by meeting local needs locally.

Objectives:

Goal 5

To encourage diversity and capacity through the participation of all age groups in the economy.

Objectives:

Key HICEEC Documents

Financial Information

Annual Reports

AGM Minutes

Reports and Discussion Papers

Core Documents:

Tourism

Housing

Discussion Papers

Other documents