Community Economic Development History

The following are economic development initiatives implemented by the community since 1986.

1986: Downtown Revitalization

The downtown area restoration project was undertaken to enhance tourism development opportunities.

1987: Community Futures

Revelstoke was designated a Community Futures community in 1987 to bolster the economy with a small business loan fund and community development initiatives. 

1991: Revelstoke Railway Museum

Constructed in 1991 to preserve and interpret Revelstoke's railway history, the Revelstoke Railway Museum is a successful addition to the area’s tourism attractions.

1993: Revelstoke Community Forest Corporation

The Revelstoke Community Forest Corporation was created by the City of Revelstoke to purchase and manage Tree Farm License 56, repatriate cutting rights to the local forest industry, and create jobs for local forest workers. 

2007: Mount MacKenzie Ski Area Development

Rising to over 2,460 metres (8,000 feet), Mount MacKenzie looks down upon the City of Revelstoke, the Columbia River, and the mountains beyond. The mountain now operates at Revelstoke Mountain Resort. With a lift-serviced vertical of 1,890 metres (6,200 feet) and average snowfalls of 9 metres (30 feet), the best skiing in North America is waiting for discovery. For more information, visit the Revelstoke Mountain Resort website.

2008: Resort Municipality Initiative

Revelstoke was designated a British Columbia Resort Municipality in 2008 and receives annual funding from the provincial government for development of the community’s tourism infrastructure. The City of Revelstoke 2019-2021 Resort Development Strategy was prepared to guide the implementation of initiatives that continue to grow our community into a unique all-season resort community.

2015: Business Retention & Expansion Study

This Business Retention and Expansion (BRE) report describes findings from a BRE survey conducted at 135 businesses in the City of Revelstoke and the surrounding area. BRE is an action-oriented and community-based approach to business and economic development. It promotes job growth by helping communities to learn about concerns of, as well as opportunities for, local businesses and to set priorities for projects to address those needs.

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Revelstoke Community Energy Corporation

Wood waste from Downie Sawmill is combusted in a biomass boiler. Heat is recovered in the form of low pressure steam for use in Downie Timber's dry kilns. Hot water is then piped through a community energy system that serves institutional and commercial buildings in Revelstoke's downtown core.