The islands off the West Coast of B.C. are home to an inspired group of people eager to preserve and protect the unique culture of the area. With pressure placed on businesses due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Rural Islands Economic Partnership Society (RIEP) brought together stakeholders from across the rural islands to develop Island COMEBACK as a means for ‘keeping the island vibe alive’!
The pandemic has since created a new era for online commerce. As a result, Island COMEBACK, over the coming months, will be evaluating how best to serve rural island communities in this new era - in the meantime registration is closed to new business/organizations sign-ups.
We CONTINUE TO encourage visitors to check out the 160 businesses and organizations listed here, purchase a gift certificate or donate.
Rural Island businesses or organizations that are interested in support and in accessing online digital marketing programs are invited to visit Rising Tide Business Services, a new initiative of the Rural Islands Economic Partnership (RIEP). Rising Tide provides strategic and affordable digital marketing solutions and marketing management services delivered by islanders, for islanders. This tailored support for local rural island business is available to RIEP members - new members will be gifted a FREE Digital Marketing Helpline subscription in 2021. Learn more
Aqua Magazine, a Gulf Islands Newspaper, published a feature about Island COMEBACK in its January-February 2021 Issue, highlighting local businesses who are part of the Island COMEBACK community
The article below, published in August 2020, by the BC Government "Ideas Exchange", reviews the Island Comeback initiative in great detail. Download article.
