City council is weighing in on the future of Initiatives Prince George following the resignation of president Tim McEwan on Monday.
Mayor Shari Green and Initiatives Prince George chairperson Glen Wonders said city council and the board of the economic development agency are planning to meet to discuss the future direction of IPG.
Coun. Cameron Stolz said the arm's length organization needs to be more responsive to the priorities of city council.
"How can we make sure council's priorities are clearly reflected in IPG's priorities?" Stolz said. "I'd like to see a more engaged relationship between IPG and the City of Prince George."
Stolz said the core review initiated by city council this year will examine the model being used by the city and IPG to deliver economic development services.
"One of the key things I'd like to see with IPG is there is measurables so we see what the city is getting for it's investment in economic development," Stolz said. "Without clear measurables we have no idea if they're doing a good job or a bad job."
Coun. Garth Frizzell said economic development continues to be priority for the community.
Frizzell said the independent, arm's length model used by Initiatives Prince George allows it to access grants which wouldn't be available if it was a city department.
"I think it's proved well for Prince George," he said. "Some of the models that are out there ... may not work for us."
Although IPG has been criticized for going too far beyond local borders to boost economic opportunities, Frizzell said part of the organization's success has been around promoting the city and region on a provincial, national and international scale.
"We can't pretend that stuff doesn't impact us," he said. "They have to take into account the bigger, global picture."
Frizzell, a small business owner and former president of the Prince George Chamber of Commerce, said he'd also like to see IPG focus on promoting small business development and retention in the city.
Coun. Murry Krause said he supports continuing with the model as it exists.
"I'm definitely in support of an outside model, not bringing it into City Hall," he said. "IPG, I think, has done a good job for the city. They continue to have a great board of directors."
While a new president will bring changes to the organization, he said, IPG did well under McEwan.
"I think IPG is going to have a strong, solid future," he said.
Councillors Brian Skakun, Lyn Hall, Dave Wilbur and Albert Koehler couldn't be reached for comment as of press time. Coun. Frank Everitt declined to comment until more information arises.
