Stimulating Community Investment Project

Update November 2023: A contractor has been selected to fulfill this project and funding has been secured from YG Regional Economic Development Fund to proceed. 

We are currently receiving public input on which lots should be included in this project. To provide your opinion, please fill out a short survey.

Take me to the survey!

Background

The St. Elias Chamber of Commerce (SECC) would like to stimulate investment within Haines Junction. Within the community, there are several abandoned, derelict, undeveloped, underdeveloped, dormant, and “tired” properties. In some cases, these properties may pose environmental hazards, reflect poorly on the community, or tie up lands that could be better used to benefit the community and its economy. There are investors who would like to invest in Haines Junction, but who need a better understanding of the potential and limitations of these properties.

While there are many reasons why these properties are the way they are, in most cases, the reasons are poorly understood or based on speculation. As such the St. Elias Chamber of Commerce (SECC) would like to inventory and investigate these properties and find ways to help unlock their potential.

It is the hope of the project partners that better information about these properties – with accompanying recommendations for specific and systemic changes – will lead to increased investment in the community.

Objective and Deliverable
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The St. Elias Chamber of Commerce and its project partners would like to engage a consultant to:

1. Work with the SECC and project partners to identify properties of interest;
2. Conduct assessments of these properties, identifying and documenting: (a) The property-specific and systemic reasons why these properties are abandoned, derelict, undeveloped, underdeveloped, dormant, or “tired”, and (b) The property owner(s)’ hopes and interests with respect to the identified properties; and
3. Make recommendations to the SECC and project partners. The recommendations should include property-specific recommendations as well as recommendations for systemic changes (ex. amendments to property taxes, bylaws, and/or zoning, or other methods of stimulating local investment).

The inventory, assessments, and recommendations will be documented in a written report to the SECC and its project partners. It is intended that this report will be released to the public, although consideration may be made to respect the privacy of property owners.

Submitting an Expression of Interest

This Request for Expressions of Interest will be used to identify and shortlist candidates for the Stimulating Community investment Project and does not constitute an offer, nor is it a formal Request for Proposals.

Please note that the timing of this project will depend on the approval of funding.

Your Expression of Interest must include:

1. An understanding of the project intent, including an overview and timeline of the proposed approach to be used by the consultant.
2. A project budget estimate. The SECC recognizes that the scope of the project will vary according to the number of properties being researched. As such, a range of time and budget estimates are welcomed.
3. A description of the consultant or team, including relevant qualifications and experience. Consultant profiles or CVs are recommended.

Questions regarding the Stimulating Community Investment Project or this Request for Expressions of Interest may be submitted to Michael Pealow, President of the St. Elias Chamber of Commerce at [email protected] no later than August 13h, 2023.

Expressions of Interest must be e-mailed to [email protected] by August 20th, 2022.​
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