News impacting Central & Northern Vancouver Island business
NORTH ISLAND
Stephanie Coe has recently joined the Mount Waddington Family Literacy Society (MWFLS) as the new Adult Literacy Coordinator.
The Port McNeill Skatepark Committee and North Island Community Services Society were recently awarded a generous $15,000 donation from Coastal Community Credit Union – Insurance, and Peace Hills Insurance.
The Port Hardy Recreation is recruiting youth market entrepreneurs for Saturday, February 10 at the Civic Centre for the Young Entrepreneur Market.
CAMPBELL RIVER
Tanya Forsyth is starting a new position as Program Manager at Campbell River and District Division of Family Practice.
A new Starbucks cafe and drive-thru will be opened by the We Wai Kai First Nation in Campbell River. The establishment will be located on the We Wai Kai reserve at the Quinsam Crossing development, at 101-125 Brant Drive.
The Community Workforce Response Grant program provided BCCPA and EngAge BC with $330,000 to support the delivery of the PN Access Training Program to sponsor 10 students to help transition into PN. The funding came from the Government of Canada, under the Canada-BC Workforce Development Agreement.
Graham Lindenbach, North Island Director for ATVBC, made a presentation to council on behalf of Campbell River ATV Club and North Island 1000. Graham discussed potential ATV tourism opportunities and requested the City’s assistance to locate or designate an area that could be used for staging and parking ATVs. Council directed staff to report back on the request and consult with the RCMP.
Footprints Security was awarded the contract for downtown security patrol by Campbell River City Council for a term of up to five years. The estimated annual contract cost is $187,866, excluding GST, and is subject to a 2.5 per cent annual increase.
Council approved a Development Variance Permit to reduce the front yard setback from 8 metres to 4.7 metres at 225 Dogwood Street South. The variance is for the construction of a new aquatic centre at Strathcona Gardens Recreation Complex.
COMOX VALLEY
Ken Grant
Ken Grant, a Councillor for the Town of Comox, has been honoured by the Comox Valley Chamber of Commerce with the Lifetime Achievement Award.
The Comox Valley Chamber of Commerce welcomes its new members, World Financial Group – Dan Boyko and Lacasse Construction.
Downtown Comox BIA has announced a workshop – Tips, Trends and Tackling Challenges for Food and Beverage Businesses: Feb 8th, 9 am-11am at Church St. Taphouse. Join Ian Tostenson and Jeff Guignard to explore key industry trends and economics driving the F & B sector
The Restaurant Culture Shift Program, funded by the Sector Labour Market Partnership Program in British Columbia, is seeking 10 participating businesses to assist build a simple dashboard for innovation in the workplace culture. The program is being run by the Chefs’ Table Society.
The Synergy Foundation‘s Project Zero is accepting applications from existing enterprises and nonprofits as well as early-stage startups that have an innovative idea for a sustainable product or service. Applicants who are chosen will be assisted in creating investor pitches, gaining operational and entrepreneurial skills, establishing connections with mentors, and drafting company strategies.
The CVRD is inviting qualified individuals to express their interest in being considered for nomination to the Board of the BC Ferry Authority. The deadline for submitting nominations is 4:30 pm on February 13, 2024.
PORT ALBERNI
A shuttle service connecting Nitinaht Village and Port Alberni will soon be run by the Ditidaht First Nation for those without a vehicle or who prefer not to drive alone to Port Alberni. According to Jim Fothergill-Brown, Ditidaht’s emergency coordinator, the program will run every other week, with the exact start date to be announced later.
San Group, a global leader in Canadian lumber, has secured $2.5 million in funding, that will be used to acquire new equipment, enhance the processing line, and build a storage facility at their value-added manufacturing plant in Port Alberni.
Sage Haven Society was chosen as the recipient of a $13,400.00 donation for January 2024 by Port Alberni’s 100 Women Who Care.
Matthews West Developments Ltd. was selected as the development partner for the redevelopment of the 43-acre property, formerly the site of the Somass Division sawmill, following a rigorous Request for Expressions of Interest (REOI) process that launched in early September 2022. Next steps include the delivery of a draft Master Plan which will lay out the vision for the site.
Garrett Walters Painting‘s new website up and running. www.garrettwalterspainting.com
TOFINO
The Wickaninnish Inn has pledged $150,000 over five years to support the Clayoquot Sound Biosphere Centre for local communities and environmental stewardship.
Island Health recently revealed plans for a new clinic facility that will be located at 2094 Peninsula Road. This facility will serve as a central hub for community-based and primary care services for the next decade.
CR Lawyers has joined the Tofino Chamber of Commerce.
PARKSVILLE-QUALICUM BEACH
A new Ladder 58 fire vehicle has been added to Qualicum Beach Fire Rescue‘s possession to aid in emergency situations.
The Salvation Army Mount Arrowsmith Food Bank receives $32,800 donation from the 100 Women Who Care – Oceanside.
The fee for the service agreement between the Parksville and District Chamber of Commerce and the city council for the operation of the Visitor Information Centre has been renewed.
A federal Arts and Heritage Legacy Grant of $211,318 has been given to St. Andrews Lodge Historical and Cultural Society (SALHACS), which will be used to upgrade and restore the historic building situated on the waterfront Saahtlam Park on the Old Island Highway.
NANAIMO
Sammar Charif has started working as the Brand Marketing Manager at Hullo by Vancouver Island Ferry Company.
The Canadian government and the Snuneymuxw First Nation have announced that 80.09 hectares of land used by Western Forest Products and the Department of National Defence has been returned to the First Nation.
Leonard Krog, Mayor of Nanaimo
The mayors of Sooke and Nanaimo, Maja Tait and Leonard Krog, respectively, have voiced their backing for the plan proposed by BC Solicitor General Mike Farnworth to explore the potential expansion of the Vancouver Island Integrated Major Crime Unit to all communities on the Island.
The BC Trucking Association (BCTA) announced that ColdStar Solutions Inc. has achieved certification through the Clean Carrier Program. This achievement underscores ColdStar Solutions’ dedication to environmental responsibility and sets a standard for sustainable practices within the trucking industry.
The airport carbon accreditation program of Airport Council International, which honours airports for their efforts in lowering greenhouse gas emissions, awarded the Nanaimo Airport its Level 2 certification.
The Westcoast Solid Wood Furniture has moved to its new location at the Country Club Mall, Unit 2-3200 North Island Highway, Nanaimo.
Edgewater Independent Senior Living at the Nanaimo North Town Centre, next to RONA +.
The Regional District of Nanaimo‘s stewardship program is currently accepting grant applications for watershed protection and drinking water. The range of funding is $1,000 to $5,000 per project, and projects that extend beyond one year can apply each year for a maximum of three consecutive years.
Alair Homes has announced that Alair Magazine has been honored with the prestigious 2023 Summit Marketing Effectiveness Award, clinching the top spot in the Educational Marketing Category! This award celebrates excellence and effectiveness in marketing.
The Regional District of Nanaimo (RDN) has been awarded a $119,545 Community Emergency Preparedness Fund grant from the Province of BC for the purchase of wildfire suppression equipment. This equipment will be a shared resource between Qualicum Beach Fire Rescue, Dashwood Volunteer Fire Department, Coombs-Hilliers Volunteer Fire Department and Nanoose Bay Volunteer Fire Department. Coordinated by the RDN on behalf of its regional partners, this grant enables the four fire departments to acquire a variety of wildfire suppression equipment including water pumps, fire hose, tools and personal protective equipment.
The BC Tourism Sustainability Network offers tourism operators personalized support and resources regardless of sustainability expertise. The program pairs each business with an experienced advisor to guide its sustainability journey and will carefully assess the organization’s needs. Thus, businesses receive a customized sustainability roadmap with resource guides, videos, workshops, audits, and funding information.
The BC Tourism Climate Resiliency Initiative will accept Project Two: Micro-Grants to Support Sustainability and Climate Adaptation Plan Implementation applications starting January 29, 2024. Tourism businesses and non-profit organizations eligible under the Program Guidelines can receive micro-grant funding of up to $15,000 to implement a project or obtain a sustainability certification in this second project stream. Two new projects, Project Three and Project Four, are set to launch later this year. Project Three focuses on sustainability and climate adaptation data framework, while Project Four aims to promote community destination stewardship.
The Government of Canada remains committed to providing ongoing support to small businesses, enabling them to contribute to the strength and resilience of our communities through the provision of essential goods and services. Find out which Government Grants are available to small businesses here.
A collaborative effort between the province and the City of Nanaimo to house the homeless has resulted in the signing of a memorandum of agreement to accelerate supportive housing initiatives via BC Housing.
Hullo is organizing a speed dating ferry event from Nanaimo to Vancouver and back on Thursday, Feb. 1.
In partnership with Vancouver Island University and Selkirk College, Island Health is developing a new pharmacy technician program that will support neighbourhood pharmacies, hospitals, and other healthcare settings. The program will consist of a combination of online theory classes, in-person lab courses, and a 10-week practicum in community and hospital settings.
On Monday, January 29, a memorandum of understanding was signed at Nanaimo City Hall between BC Minister of Housing Ravi Kahlon and Nanaimo Mayor Leonard Krog. This will make Nanaimo the fourth municipality in British Columbia to join programs that will help expand outreach services and create more housing and shelter options.
LADYSMITH
Paul Beltgens, who owns Paulcan and Jemico Enterprises, will be leading the Concatenated Order of Hoo-Hoo, a global organization of forest workers, in 2024.
Stz’uminus First Nation has requested that the Regional District of Nanaimo consider adding a bus station to the Route 70 Nanaimo-Cowichan express bus route in Ladysmith’s Oyster Bay.
As part of the Buller Street rehabilitation project, councilors from Ladysmith approved a loan authorization bylaw to construct a new municipal hall after three readings. The Buller Street project will involve multiple partners, with the town’s share of the project estimated to be around $13.5 million.
COWICHAN VALLEY – DUNCAN
The Station Street Cafe at 127 Station St., was sold to business partners by previous owner, Mary Hancock.
A special Speaker Series Luncheon will be held at the Clements Centre on February 22 at noon, open to members, guests, and non-members of the Duncan Cowichan Chamber of Commerce.
On February 7, the Ministry of Transportation is hosting a public information session at Quamichan School, located at 2525 Beverly St., to discuss the proposed designs for a pedestrian overpass and other safety enhancements for the Trans-Canada Highway in Duncan.
Island Health is requesting a development permit from the City of Duncan to open a primary care centre at 930, 940, and 950 Government St., next to the Fishbowl Cafe and Canco grocery store. The advisory design panel for the city reviewed the application at their meeting on January 25 and will report back to the council with their recommendations at a future meeting.
Creative Woodcraft, a Cobble Hill bespoke cabinetry and millwork company that uses local, second-growth wood, received a $286,000 investment, which will be used to expand its facilities and add new equipment that would increase its production capacity, minimize waste, and create more jobs.
Business Examiner Staff