Services

Economics, Economic Development, Feasibility and Business Planning

OUR WORK

  • Resource Economics
  • Economic Impacts
  • Social Impacts
  • Benefit Cost Analysis
  • Economic Development
  • Investment Attraction
  • Industry Studies
  • Cluster Analysis
  • Tourism Planning
  • Destination Development
  • Experience Development
  • Nature-based Tourism
  • Feasibility Studies
  • Business Plans
  • Marketing Studies
  • Financial Analysis

Economic Impact Analysis

We employ the principles of micro-economics and financial analysis that assist client understanding of baseline conditions and the implications of project, program and policy developments.

The analytical frameworks include social benefit/cost analysis, multiple accounts analysis, economic impact analysis and financial analysis, highlighting the distribution of benefits and costs which may be interpreted in monetary and non-monetary terms. These assessments are designed to assist our clients with investment decisions, program and policy development, regulatory and permitting processes, mitigation, follow-up and monitoring plans, and other situations where an understanding of the economic and financial implications of a decision is required.

The impact work Lions Gate conducts frequently includes socio-community and cultural dimensions. Socio-Economic Impact Assessment is the systematic framework used to identify and evaluate the potential impacts of regional and local economic change in respect of public and social services, community infrastructure, emergency services, housing and social stresses, as well as cultural/heritage values.

Land Use Planning. Lions Gate consultants have a long and successful track record assisting government agencies determine the potential effects of wide area land and resource management plans, small area plans, establishment or expansion of parks and protected areas, changes in the allocation of Crown lands or tenure policy.

Marine Planning. The effects of marine plans can be complex given the non-point interactions between economic activity and the marine environment, overlapping jurisdictional interests, and the constantly shifting regulatory environment. Lions Gate has helped all levels of government, including First Nations, understand these interactions and the trade-offs inherent in balancing economic, socio-community and ecological values.

Resource Developments. Lions Gate has worked with many clients in the energy, mining and transportation industries document the socio-economic impacts required of the federal and provincial/territorial environmental assessment (or other regulatory) processes.

RECENT PROJECTS
  1. Gwa'ni Project Socio-economic & Environmental Risk Assessment, BC Min. of Water, Land and Resource Stewardship, 2024
  2. Scoping for a Socio-economic Impact Assessment of Proposed Cape Roger Curtis Regional Park, Metro Vancouver, 2023
  3. Ahousaht Land Use Vision Socio-Economic & Environmental Risk Assessment, Ahousaht Nation-Government of BC, 2022
  4. Highland Valley Copper 2040 Legacy Project, Social Baseline Report, Citxw Nlaka’pamux Assembly, 2022
  5. Socio-economic Baseline Red Chris Mine, Newcrest Red Chris Mining Limited, 2022
  6. Socio-economic Impacts of Proposed Boundary Adjustment to Sasquatch Provincial Park, Seabird Island First Nation, 2022
  7. Jade Revenue Discussion Paper, Economic Impacts, BC Ministry of Energy, Mines and Low Carbon Innovation, 2022
  8. British Columbia Placer Mining Socio-economic Study, BC Ministry of Energy, Mines and Low Carbon Innovation, 2021

Economic Development

Lions Gate assists government, First Nations, communities, industry and individual businesses develop their economic development plans, policies and programs. We do this by helping them understand the nature of economic change, the opportunities for transforming community assets into wealth creation and the strategic options for moving the economy forward in an era of severe dislocation, globalized competition and secular change.

Our work approach is based on generally accepted principles of strategic economic planning, from economic and industry analysis, through each phase of the planning process to program design and delivery. We regularly employ analytical tools such as economic base analysis, SWOT analysis, cluster analysis and community asset mapping and complement those with community consultation techniques including focus groups, planning workshops, community surveys and public meetings. Our plans are detailed, action-oriented and sophisticated enough to deal with economic uncertainty and change, yet clearly articulated to facilitate understanding and implementation. In all cases, we strive to create an economic roadmap by balancing the objectives and values of the client organization or community with the impartial interpretation of economic, industry and competitiveness trends.

We have completed more than 150 projects for economic development organizations, including baseline studies, industry-specific studies (e.g. manufacturing, tourism, transportation, services), program-specific plans (e.g. marketing and investment attraction, business retention and expansion) and comprehensive, long term community plans.

Economic development strategies. Our passion at Lions Gate is working with government and NGOs improve the economic and social well-being of their constituencies through targeted and effective strategic plans.

Investment attraction and place marketing strategies. Lions Gate has worked with numerous communities market themselves and target new domestic and foreign direct investment through the deployment of realistic, measurable and implementable plans.

Tourism planning. Destination, market , product/experience, infrastructure and industry development--Lions Gate has engaged all dimensions of tourism planning for government, business and destination management organizations big and small. Programming best practices. Research and analysis of organizations that demonstrate superior policy, program and management practices that over time become economic development standards.

RECENT PROJECTS
  1. Cowichan Economic Development Strategy, Cowichan Valley Regional District, 2024
  2. Saanich Economic Development Strategy, District of Saanich, 2024
  3. North Vancouver Economic Development Strategy, District of North Vancouver, 2024 (led by B&A Studios)
  4. Stratford Sport Tourism Strategy, City of Stratford, 2023 (led by Destinate Group)
  5. Destination Management Plan, South Saskatchewan Ready, 2023 (led by Destinate Group)
  6. Red Deer Polytechnic Socio-economic Scan, Red Deer Polytechnic, 2023 (led by m+a globalnomics)
  7. 5-Year Economic Development Plan, Uchucklesaht Tribal Government, 2023
  8. Economic Development Strategy Plan 2030, Red Deer County, 2023 (led by m+a globalnomics)
  9. Developing the Cleantech Sector on Vancouver Island, Van. Island Economic Dev. Assn., 2023 (led by Qatalyst Research Group)
  10. Cache Creek Economic Development Strategy, Village of Cache Creek, 2022
  11. Sidney Economic Development Strategy, Town of Sidney, 2022
  12. Economic Development Strategy, Xeni Gwet'in First Nation, 2021
  13. Cranbrook Economic Development Strategy, City of Cranbrook, 2021 (led by Dotted I Strategies)
  14. Terrace Destination Development Plan, Kermodie Tourism, 2021 (led by Simone Carlysle-Smith Consulting)
  15. North Vancouver Economic Investment Strategy, City of North Vancouver, 2021
  16. Esquimalt Business Investment Roadmap, Township of Esquimalt, 2021
  17. Nanaimo Economic Development Strategy, City of Nanaimo, 2020

Feasibility and Business Planning

Lions Gate assists organizations evaluate a concept or project viability, formalize a business plan or improve organizational performance. Areas of expertise include tourism and hospitality, agriculture and food, forestry and wood manufacturing, high technology and services.

Our approach to feasibility assessments is to genuinely inform the client of the implications of a go or no-go decision concerning a proposed task, project or investment. A variety of analytical tools are used to inform study conclusions and recommendations but an opinion on the likelihood and context of success is always given.

Our business planning practice is designed to help clients develop an overall strategic approach to decision-making through the integration of goals (or objectives), policies, programs and strategic decisions. The focus of the planning may be at the corporate level or it may be for a specific project, product or market. A typical plan would incorporate industry, market and competitor analysis with marketing, operating, management and financial plan components. The plans we have prepared for clients have served a variety of purposes, from internal decision-making to fund-raising and joint-venture development.

Feasibility analysis. We have delivered dozens of feasibility studies that objectively identify the merits and deficiencies of a proposed venture or initiative, as the basis for implementation, abandonment, or further technical work.

Business and marketing plans. Lions Gate excels at well crafted business, marketing and financial plans for businesses, community organizations, non-profits and government.

RECENT PROJECTS
  1. Alberta Design House Business Plan, Alberta Native Friendship Centre Association, 2024
  2. Tourism Business Plans (5), Uchucklesaht Tribal Government, 2023
  3. Tourism Resources for the Non-Tourism Professional (web resource), Destination BC, 2023
  4. Clearwater Visitor Information Centre Business & Operations Plan, Tourism Wells Gray, 2022
  5. Radium Hot Springs Visitor Destination Centre Feasibility, Tourism Radium, 2021
  6. Five and One-year Operating Plans for Municipal and Regional District Tax renewals:
  7. Alberni Valley (2022)
  8. Cowichan Valley (2022)
  9. Lower North Thompson (2020) 

213-2902 West Broadway, Vancouver BC V6K 2G8

604.733.5622 info@lionsgateconsulting.ca