620K Provincial Grant Award To Address Supply Chain Gaps For Small Business In Parksville-Qualicum Beach
PARKSVILLE, QUALICUM BEACH – The Parksville & District Chamber of Commerce (P&DCC) is pleased to announce it is the recipient a Community Economic Recovery Infrastructure Program grant in the amount of $620K, awarded by the Ministry of Forests, Lands, Natural Resource Operations and Rural Development for the Mid Vancouver Island Micro-fulfillment Centre, a project developed by Oceanside Initiatives, the economic development division of the P&DCC.
Adam Walker, Parksville-Qualicum MLA
“The pandemic has brought on significant challenges for business owners who’ve had to shift and adapt to our new circumstances and change how they deliver goods. I’m proud our government is providing $620,000 for this Microfulfillment Centre, which will help lower shipping costs for businesses and provide storage and processing space so people can spend less time on administrative processes and more time creating new products and growing their business.” said Parksville-Qualicum MLA Adam Walker.
“The Parksville & District Chamber of Commerce couldn’t be happier with the work that Oceanside Initiatives has been able to accomplish over the past 14 months. It has been our belief that a dedicated economic development function would greatly benefit our region and help bring the priorities of many of our region’s stakeholders together for the prosperity of businesses and citizens alike. This grant is evidence that we are on the right track.” said Kim Burden, Executive Director of the Parksville and District and Qualicum Chambers of Commerce.
The Mid Vancouver Island Micro-Fulfillment Centre is a scalable, modular, configurable warehouse, and delivery solution for businesses in the Oceanside region, Vancouver Island, and the Gulf Islands. It offers high storage density, immediate pick and pack capabilities, and low cost, same day, and next day delivery of goods.
Parksville & District Chamber of Commerce President Jeannie Maltesen
“The Chamber sees the huge potential for small and medium size businesses on Vancouver Island to grow their businesses. It is a perfect fit with the Support Local work we have been doing over the past several months. As a Chamber of Commerce, we want to ensure we serve and support our local businesses,” says Parksville & District Chamber of Commerce President Jeannie Maltesen.
Oceanside Initiatives plans to partner with the Nanoose First Nation to build the facility, which will have the capacity to create 100’s of jobs in the region.
“It is our belief that this plan will greatly benefit our region by filling a gap in the current supply chain; demonstrates long-term economic sustainability, especially for women, young entrepreneurs, indigenous and persons with low barriers to employment; supports downtown business vitality and supports the sustainability of the Chambers of Commerce on Vancouver Island, said Cindy Stern, Chief Executive Officer of the Nanoose Economic Development Corp.
“The economic environment is rapidly changing due to the impact that COVID-19 has had on sales, and the way consumers purchase goods. There has been an increase in businesses expanding their on-line sales presence in nearly every community on Vancouver Island. However, many island businesses do not have the ability to warehouse or fulfill orders in a cost-effective manner, and shipping costs are expensive, which lower profit margins significantly,” said Corry Hostetter, Economic Development Coordinator of Oceanside Initiatives. “We began to understand this challenge more than ever as we assisted business through our Rebound Oceanside Business Recovery Plan. Now, with the help of the Province, we can begin to solve this challenge for many businesses now, and in the future.”
Oceanside Initiatives, the economic development division of the Parksville and District and Qualicum Beach Chambers of Commerce opened its doors in January of 2020 through a grant provided through WorkBC’s Community and Employer Partnerships (CEP) program and by the Ministry of Social Development and Poverty Reduction’s Community and Employer Partnership fund for the purpose of establishing economic development with a focus on business retention and expansion programs.