PARKSVILLE – There are big things brewing in Parksville, but you will have to wait to read them in this space. Our phone has been ringing with investors wanting to know about several key pieces of property in Parksville and we can’t wait to be able to talk about them.
What we can talk about is the preparations the City is making to improve their water system, a major change in personnel at the City of Parksville and a key economic development initiative in the Parksville Qualicum Beach region that you may not usually associate with economic development.
On Saturday, November 21, 2015, from 8 am to 8 pm at the Parksville Community and Conference Centre and the Parksville Fellowship Baptist Church residents of Parksville will vote on a referendum which if successful will allow the City of Parksville to borrow the required $5.6 million to complete the funding package to build the Englishman River Water Service Treatment, Intake and Transmission Mains. This project will ensure a plentiful, high quality supply of water for the foreseeable future.
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On December 31st, long time CAO and former CFO, Fred Manson will retire. Fred has served the City of Parksville extremely well and the Parksville & District Chamber of Commerce has enjoyed a strong working relationship with the City through several mayors and councillors because of his willingness to listen to the concerns of the business community. He has not only listened well but also sought out the opinion of the business community on a variety of issues. Fred was an invaluable ally and resource in the creation of the inter-municipal business license which allows businesses to work in communities from Campbell River to Duncan without having to register in each community.
Council have followed their succession plan and appointed Debbie Comis, the former director of administrative services, as the new chief administrative officer effective January 1, 2016. The Chamber looks forward to working with Ms. Comis and expanding on our current positive relationship for the betterment of the business community in Parksville.
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Over the past few months the Parksville & District Chamber of Commerce have participated with a working group to recruit physicians to the Parksville Qualicum Beach region. As an aging community, our physicians are also aging and like many communities in BC we are actively seeking fresh recruits. Why is this an economic development issue? In order to attract new business and retain existing business it is essential to have a healthy community with all of the services required to support the families of business owners and their employees, that includes health care, education and the variety of services from landscapers to auto repair shops. It is a pleasure to work with the progressive group of community supporters and existing young physicians around the table in the development of a strong and healthy region.
Hopefully next month I will be able to step out of my cone of silence to share some of the great opportunities coming to Parksville.
– Kim Burden is the Executive Director of the Parksville & District Chamber of Commerce. He can reached at kim@parksvillechamber.com.