| This thesis examines whether forest harvesting and processing is a viable strategy for the continued economic growth and socioeconomic development in small forest-based places in British Columbia (BC). This strategy is widely employed despite the fact that BC's forest economy has struggled to manage the effects of economic, political, and resource related change for over three decades. Restructuring and change have now reduced the economic advantages originally associated with forest-dependence for many BC communities, and Houston, BC is one of many examples. In the 1970s, forest-dependence created substantial economic growth for Houston, but since that time, the community has experienced instability, uncertainty, and a limited range of economic and social benefits as a result of forest-dependence. The research indicates that forest-dependence has limited Houston's economic and socioeconomic development. Furthermore, this research found that the economic model used in Houston has failed to produce the economic benefits of the past and has not supported the socioeconomic development necessary to sustain the community into the future. |
