The Rural Navigator™ is KBSL’s proprietary economic development tool designed to help rural and Indigenous communities, economic development officers, and committees identify and prioritize opportunities for growth in their region.
Designed with a deep understanding of the challenges and opportunities that these communities face, the Rural Navigator™ combines innovative technology with personalized consulting services to deliver strategic guidance, practical solutions, and ongoing support. Whether online or in-person, this comprehensive tool empowers communities to navigate complex development processes with confidence.
With this simple yet powerful tool, users can visually compare economic development opportunities, rank them based on local assets and gaps, and generate an actionable plan tailored to their unique circumstances.
Who Is It For?
The Rural Navigator™ is ideal for rural communities, Indigenous communities, economic development officers, and committees who are looking to unlock new opportunities and streamline their economic development planning.
How It Works
The Rural Navigator™ is available online, in-person, or through a mobile interface, providing flexible access for communities and economic development groups. It’s designed to be used in sessions with Town Councils or Economic Development Committees, where committee members input their insights into a series of questions about their community’s resources, labor, infrastructure, and more. These inputs are then scored and ranked using a matrix model powered by an internal database of industry examples (NAICS codes), delivering a customized list of top opportunities for development in that community.
Once the session is complete—which typically takes an afternoon—the community receives a comprehensive Rural Navigator Implementation Report. This report includes a step-by-step action plan and due diligence recommendations to guide the community in developing the identified opportunities.
The Benefits
- Customized Opportunity ID: The only economic development tool that quickly identifies and prioritizes opportunities based on your community’s unique assets and infrastructure.
- Objective Decision-Making: Reduces conflict among committee and council members by applying a one-member-one-vote principle, creating a clear, objective decision-making process.
- Strategic Focus: Provides a clear foundation for building an economic development strategy, offering a starting point for communities unsure of where to begin.
- Tailored and Actionable: Based on industry standards, but fully customized to your community’s needs, and includes an actionable plan for due diligence and development.
Results
Explore some example bubble graphs that we put together for our client, the Southeast Sask Economic Partnership.
