Business News Influencing Northern BC
PRINCE GEORGE – Elaine Laberge has been appointed as the new Executive Director at Canadian Mental Health Association of Northern BC.
Dr. Elaine Laberge
Emil Adriano has started a new role at Northern Health – BC as a Clinician specializing in Mental Health and Addictions and Richelle Maser has been hired as Regional Manager, Student Practice Education.
Todd den Engelsen has been appointed as the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Tahltan Nation Development Corporation (TNDC).
Stephen Appleton‘s Coyote Project, a subsidiary of Fortescue Future Industries, proposes to construct a hydrogen export plant in Willow Cale Industrial Park, situated in the Boundary Road region to the west of the airport in Prince George. This massive facility would have the capacity to manufacture tons of ammonia and hydrogen per year.
Todd den Engelsen
The Honourable Robert J. Bauman KC, Barbara Ward Burkitt, and Kelly Melnyk have been elected as the newest Directors of the Access Pro Bono Society of BC.
Nikki Keith, Principal at Wilson M. Beck Insurance Services, has been elected as a Director to the 2024 Board of Directors for the BC Road Builders and Heavy Construction Association.
Applications are open for the 2024 Technology Impact Awards! Submit your applications here!
More energy-efficient heating and cooling systems will be installed in the homes of three BC Care Providers Association (BCCPA) and EngAge BC member locations through a partnership with FortisBC Energy Inc. (FortisBC). Installation of gas engine heat pumps (GEHPs) powered by FortisBC, which use renewable natural gas or natural gas, is now under way at the Evergreen Terrace and the Heights at Mt. View locations of the Baptist Housing and Hawthorne Seniors Care Community.
The BC Labour Market Outlook, a 10-year projection of the province’s supply and demand for labour, was released by the provincial government in 2023. The Prince George region is predicted to see 21,100 job opportunities over the next decade.
McLeod Lake Indian Band and Defence Metals have joined forces for the Wicheeda Project located east of Bear Lake. The partnership aims to produce magnetic metals that are essential components in cell phones, electric vehicles, and levitation trains.
The province has allocated $675,385 funds to support research aimed at creating a regional centre of excellence focused on children and youth, with the goal of addressing mental health and wellness concerns, led by the Lheidli T’enneh First Nation.
The Prince George Symphony Orchestra, Northern BC Queer Connection Society, Method Dance Society, PG Folkfest, and Wild About Outdoors Learning Society are the most recent 2024 Celebrate PG grantees announced by the City of Prince George.
The Prince George Heritage Commission is accepting applications for four(4) full-time, volunteer positions that will run from March 1, 2024, to February 28, 2026.
The Water Resources Team at EDI Environmental Dynamics Inc enters 2024 with an exciting announcement!! EDI stepped up their hydrology capacity with the addition of Aquarius Software from Aquatic Infomatics. This software increases their ability to work with your historical data sets, improves their time-series data management and allows them to develop industry-leading rating-curves.
Acres Enterprises Ltd of Kamloops, a multi-disciplined civil, general and industrial construction company, is opening an office in Prince George.
The Prince George Citizen newspaper has been purchased by former City Councillor Cameron Stolz. The 108 year old paper was purchased from Glacier Media.
The Prince George Airport Authority (PGAA) reported 417,848 passengers travelled through the Prince George Airport (YXS) in 2023. This represents an increase of 15% over 2022. Months that saw the biggest spike in travellers was January at 59%, February at 43%, March with 33%, followed by December at 18% compared to the same months the previous year.
Mandy Stanker is now the Manager for Development Services replacing Wil Wedel at the City of Prince George.
MNP will be hosting an evening of connection and conversation with co-hosts NRCA and CHBA at the Courtyard by Marriott Prince George on April 2 from 6-9 pm.
Four Rivers Co-op announced that it has acquired Spruce Capital Feeds. The Ag Retailer has been a prominent, locally owned business and staple of the retail community in the Prince George area for more than 50 years. Four Rivers Co-op officially assumed control of the business on January 5.
From Feb. 1 – March 1, 2024 the Co-op Community Spaces program application period is open. Community Spaces provides up to $150,000 for community projects that improve the places we share, learn and play. Co-op will contribute up to $1 million to support multiple projects that improve or create the spaces we grow in across Western Canada. To apply or for more information visit www.communityspaces.ca.
PRINCE RUPERT
Jesse Sales
Jesse Sales now serves as the Director of Care at Prince Rupert Regional Hospital, where he managed both the Prince Rupert and Haida Gwaii locations.
The design-build contractor, Axis Mountain Technical, has begun construction on Part 1 of the Cloudberry Trail multi-use pathway, which will link the Prince Rupert Civic Centre with the Galloway Rapids Rest Area. The Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure issued the first of two permits for the project.
The province is providing a substantial amount of funding, up to $8.6 million, through the BC Manufacturing Jobs Fund (BCMJF) to support eight capital projects including: San Industries Ltd. in Port Alberni, Richmond Plywood Corp. Ltd., Coast Tsimshian Resources LP in Prince Rupert, Downie Timber Ltd in Revelstoke, Sunrise Engineering & Manufacturing Inc. in Delta, Access Precision Machining Ltd. In Salmon Arm, Yarrow Wood (2012) Inc. in Chiliwack, and C.W. Creative Woodcraft Ltd. In Cobble Hill. These projects aim to assist manufacturers in expanding and diversifying their operations by incorporating new production lines, equipment, and innovative technology.
The Facade Improvement Program intake has opened with the City of Prince Rupert‘s Economic Development office. The grant program offers $5,000 towards exterior improvements, complements and other downtown development incentives.
The Prince Rupert Chamber Business After Business is being held at Prince Rupert Gymnastics on February 8 from 5-7 pm.
Rainbow Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram Ltd announced Amit Thada as salesperson of the month for December and welcome Jaskaranpreet Singh to their team as an Automotive Detailer.
FORT ST. JOHN
Zen Den Laser has moved to its new location in Fort St. John at 9607 99 Avenue.
The Canadian Choice Award 2024 has recognized Desiar Accounting Bookkeeping & Taxes Services Ltd. as the recipient of the prestigious “Accountants in Fort St. John” category.
The Distinguished Janet Taylor Award was presented to Home Hardware Fort St. John at the Be an Angel Gala, which took place at the Pomeroy Hotel and Conference Centre.
KITIMAT
LNG Canda has completed the Sumgas Creek restoration project in Kitimat.
Harsh Patel started working at Grainger Canada in Kitimat as a Branch Supervisor.
Brian Kurtz is now serving as the ISBL Commissioning Superintendent for FCCL at the Kitimat LNGC Project, transitioning from Pre-Commissioning to Commissioning.
Forrest Kang Sup Seo has recently taken on the role of Control Systems Engineer-Commissioning E/I Team on the “LNGCanada project” in Kitimat at JGC.
Samsung Heavy Industries (SHI) and Black & Veatch have been granted a contract for the Haisla Nation and Pembina Pipeline Corporation’s floating LNG production unit in Kitimat. Both firms will offer EPC services, which include design, manufacture, and delivery of the unit.
A cannabis store proposal for Telkwa by Swissport Management, the operators of Kitimat retail cannabis, is expected to be presented to council for deliberation on the February agenda.
The City of Fort St. John is working with Canadian Ramp Company to design and construct an asphalt pump track in Kin Park
TERRACE
Dr. Natasha DeSousa, an emergency room physician in Terrace, was recently honoured with the Emergency Leadership Fellowship program from The University of British Columbia (UBC) – Brigham and Women’s Hospital.
Jaime Davidson has started working at Suncor in Burrard, Kamloops, Nanaimo and Terrace as a QA Inspector.
The Terrace & District Chamber of Commerce is hiring an Executive Director. Application Deadline: February 5, 2024.
WILLIAMS LAKE
Chief Willie Sellars of Williams Lake First Nation was recently recognized with a prestigious 2023 British Columbia Reconciliation Award.
Kaitlyn Atkinson has accepted a position with the BC Public Service in the BC Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure as Regional DFAA Program Manager.
Krust & Krumb Bakery & Deli will soon be open in Williams Lake. They are now available for catering and special orders.
Williams Lake Chamber of Commerce welcomes new members: Arise Strategies, Healthcare Advocacy for Loved Ones-HALO, Williams Lake Curling Club, Studio 20, Cariboo Bowling Lanes (Williams Lake).
Congratulations to Dale Taylor of GOAT FM for his 40 years in local broadcasting!
SMITHERS
Annette Morgan
Sheeba Arora has been hired Product Specialist at Frontier Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram Ltd.
Provincial funding of $30,000 is allocated for the Town of Smithers to support emergency groups around indigenous culture.
The Smithers Art Gallery recently received a donation of $16,000 from the Smithers Rotary Club. This donation came as a result of the successful 2023 Smithers Rotary Auction.
Nominations are open for the 2024 Smithers District Chamber of Commerce Community & Business Excellence Awards. The Gala event takes place March 9th at the Prestige Summit Ballroom.
The Dze L K’ant Friendship Centre Society Executive Director Annette Morgan has been recognized for her outstanding lifetime achievements by the Canadian Council for Aboriginal Business.
The Smithers & Sistrict Chamber of Commerce turns 100!
QUESNEL
Marie Stewart
Marie Stewart has joined the MNP in the Quesnel office, serving the Northern BC region.
Volunteers are needed to ensure the smooth running of the upcoming Lhtako Quesnel 2024 BC Winter Games. The event, hosted by the Lhtako Dene Nation, is scheduled to take place from February 22-25 in Quesnel.
The Quesnel Council has given the go-ahead for the construction of a new single detached dwelling on Lot 9 in District Lot 81 of the Cariboo District Plan PGP38117, specifically on Lawlor Drive.
The provincial government has recently unveiled new regulations permitting mass timber structures to ascend to 18 stories, an increase from the previous 12 stories in Quesnel.
The Quesnel Council has given their approval for Development Permit DP2023-64, which will rezone an area on 118 Juniper Road to accommodate a stand-alone Vape Retail store. The Public Hearing has been waived, as the spot zone aligns with the Official Community Plan. A Notice will be posted to inform the public.
The Council allocated $12,000 from the Council Initiatives budget to a campaign to reroute traffic through Quesnel, divert dangerous goods from the city centre, rehabilitate the Quesnel River bridge, and connect Highway 97 as a major provincial transportation corridor.
The BC Housing delegation presented Council with their application to rezone 530 Carson Avenue (Grace Inn) for phased redevelopment into supportive and affordable housing.
100 MILE HOUSE
Al Richmond and Mary Sjostrom will continue to serve as chairs and vice chairs, respectively, of the Cariboo Chilcotin Regional Hospital District (CCRHD).
There will soon be updates to the regional Cariboo Chilcotin Emergency Notification System. Residents who are immediately affected by an evacuation order, utility service interruptions, or other emergency alerts will receive push notifications from the system beginning early next year through the Voyent Alert platform.
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Business Examiner Staff
