News Impacting Central and North Vancouver Island
NORTH ISLAND
The North Island Community Health Centre in Port Hardy celebrated its 1st anniversary.
Emma Robertson is currently searching for a more permanent location for her business, Chouette Children’s Clothing.
With funding from the province totaling $1.2 million over three years, North Island College and its Centre for Applied Research, Technology, and Innovation initiated a new and cutting-edge seaweed industry pilot project at NIC. This project aims to provide individuals with the skills required to prosper in a rapidly growing industry while fostering economic resiliency and community growth.
CAMPBELL RIVER
Tyler Fainstat
Tyler Fainstat has successfully secured the position of Executive Director at The John Howard Society of North Island, effective August 1, 2024.
The Resident Perk Program, recently introduced by Veyron Properties Group Ltd, has been greatly welcomed by the community.
The BC Salmon Farmers Association will host a Community Appreciation BBQ at Robert V. Ostler Park on Thursday, August 22.
The Tyee Club of BC is marking its one hundred-year legacy in Campbell River!
Island Home Furniture is celebrating its 10th anniversary with an exclusive sale.
The City of Campbell River is seeking a Crime Prevention Youth Engagement Worker and is seeking an accomplished, results-oriented Fire Services professional to serve in the capacityof Deputy Fire Chief – Safety and Training.
COMOX VALLEY
A seaweed industry pilot project of the Pacific Seaweed Industry Association, in collaboration with industry partner North Island College, has been financed by the Government of British Columbia, via the Minister of Post-Secondary Education and Future Skills.
Swaggy Fit Intimate Apparel is now open at Driftwood Mall, across from Ardene.
A new coffee place, Impresso, has recently opened in Comox Valley. It has taken over the space of Grind Coffee Shop, which was the oldest coffee shop in the area. Impresso is located at the corner of Church Street and Beaufort Avenue in Comox.
The Foundry Comox Valley received a $10,000 donation from McDonald’s restaurants in both Courtenay and Comox, which was raised during McHappy Day.
The Comox Valley Blue Devils swim team organized their yearly swim-a-thon to generate funds for the Lush Valley Food Action Society, a local charity, in addition to their swim team.
Open Cockpit Day this Saturday, Aug. 24 at the Comox Air Force Museum Heritage Air Park!
Build lasting relationships in the business community by attending one of the Comox Chamber monthly Business After Business events. Next opportunity is Thursday August 29! Meet at Smith Lake Farm for a Summer BBQ and Agri-Tour. Tickets to this delicious, family friendly and casual event are on their website.
Broken Squirrel Wellness celebrates their 3 year anniversary!
TOFINO – UCLUELET
The West Coast Multiplex Society is planning a regional multiplex recreation hub close to the Tofino-Long Beach Airport, which would include a high-performance surf centre.
The Hesquiaht First Nation celebrated the completion of the long-awaited Ah’ta’apq Creek Hydropower project on August 8, marking a significant day in their history. The project had been in the works for nearly 20 years.
The district-owned Amphitrite Point Lighthouse in Ucluelet will soon be under the care of the Wild Pacific Trail Society. The organization has teamed up with the Raincoast Education Society to ensure that the newly renovated community space is staffed all year round.
PORT ALBERNI
Wesco Foods has opened a new retail storefront next to Healthy Habits in Port Alberni’s Uptown.
North Island College’s Port Alberni campus is hosting student orientation September 17th.
Uchucklesaht Tribe Government is hosting a 2nd climate change engagement series: Taking Action on the Climate Crisis. The August 23rd gathering focuses on advancing climate change actions for the prosperity of future generations.
The Community Arts Council of the Alberni Valley has issued an open Call for Artists for the upcoming “Transitions” Exhibit at The Grove Gallery. Submission Deadline is September 20, 2024.
The first 3×3 Summer Showdown Basketball Tournament takes place at Glenwood Sports Centre on August 22nd.
The Uptown Night Market takes place August 21st August on 3rd Avenue featuring local vendors, later hours for participating businesses, and family-friendly activities.
Family Farms Day, hosted by the Alberni Valley Food Security Society and the Alberni-Clayoquot Regional District, takes place September 15th. The free annual event invites residents for self-guided farm tours.
Progress continues on the Connect the Quays path. Paving has been completed at the Somass loop and new lighting has been installed on the section between Roger Street and Stamp Avenue. Connect the Quays is a City of Port Alberni project connecting Victoria Quay and Harbour Quay via new multi-modal pathway.
A Pop-up Farmers’ market “All The Rage with No Big Dill Canning” takes place August 22nd.
Alberni District Fall Fair takes place September 5th – 8th.
The Port Alberni Salmon Festival takes place August 31st to September 2nd.
The Alberni-Clayoquot Regional District has provided more than $100,000 in grant-in-aid funding to non-profit organizations in the Alberni Valley. Alberni-Clayoquot Regional District staff say that grants are awarded to projects, programs, activities and events throughout the region that represent an appropriate use of tax dollars and enhance the well-being of residents and communities.
The City of Port Alberni’s Parks, Recreation & Heritage department and Neighbourhood Welcome hosted information booths for community newcomers at Blair Park.
The City of Port Alberni is conducting maintenance of Bob Dailey track.
$8M has been invested into 17 projects for the Province’s Clean Coast, Clean Waters initiative including, a partnership with coastal First Nations to clean marine debris and derelict vessels along BC’s coast. Cleanup projects will take place in Bamfield and other coastal locations.
Toquaht Nation and Uchucklesaht Tribe government has received $1M in funding for road improvements at Maggie Lake and Canal Main roads.
Huu-ay-aht First Nation has issued an RFP for Kiixin (National Historic Site) Research and Development Project.
PARKSVILLE – QUALICUM BEACH
True Key Hotels & Resorts is proud to announce a significant milestone in the career of Tara Ryder, General Manager of Sunrise Ridge Waterfront Resort, Parksville. Tara is celebrating her 20th anniversary with True Key, a remarkable achievement that reflects her dedication, leadership, and unwavering commitment to excellence.
Two Qualicum Beach businesses will be granted complimentary admission to the Canada’s Trade Accelerator Program, which has secured $10,000 for QB businesses.
NANAIMO
Luigi Simpatico
Nanaimo-based Luigi Simpatico, CFA, has been appointed Senior Commercial Relationship Manager at Canadian Western Bank. Luigi has an extensive background in the financial services and business finance industry and is skilled in advising his clients on raising capital, scaling up revenues and capacity, and acting as a strategic financial advisor. He has earned his Chartered Financial Analyst accreditation, along with his Bachelor of Commerce in Finance.
Debra Street is celebrating her 2nd anniversary at Barkley Project Group Ltd.
Aggie Weighill, a professor in Recreation and Tourism Management at Vancouver Island University, is transitioning to being the Chair of the Master of Arts in Sustainable Leisure Management program and continue as the Director of the World Leisure Centre of Excellence at VIU.
Emily Shires is starting a new position as Administrative Manager at EHN Edgewood Nanaimo.
Angie Hakala has recently taken on a new role as the Fibre Accountant at Harmac Pacific, Nanaimo Forest Products, Ltd.
The Harris Auto Used Car Supercentre, the first standalone used car dealership operated by the Harris Auto Group, will open for business on September 3rd. The dealership will be managed by Darren Shaw.
Alitis Investment Counsel is celebrating 15 years! Over the past decade and a half, Alitis had the privilege of working with amazing clients and partners, who have been instrumental in its success.
KF Aerospace, which operates all over Canada and has been specializing in Boeing airframes for more than 35 years, was selected the 2023 Boeing Supplier of the Year for Safety and Quality.
Hullo Ferries is celebrating their first anniversary.
BC Housing, in collaboration with Hornby Island Housing Society and M’akola Housing Society, is set to construct 26 affordable rental homes in Beulah Creek Village on Hornby Island.
Spexi Geospatial Inc., a Vancouver-based company, has successfully created a network of crowd-sourced aerial imaging that covers 131 communities in British Columbia.
Atlas Engineered Products announced its financial and operational results for the second quarter of 2024. The company brought in $15.1 million in revenue, up 34 per cent from the previous year; $3.1 million in adjusted EBITDA, a 50 per cent rise over the previous year; closed a $14.6 million purchased deal private placement on June 26, 2024. At the end of the quarter, the company had a healthy cash position of $20.0 million. Strategic investments in robotics and automation have started, with funds going to sites in British Columbia, Ontario, and New Brunswick.
LADYSMITH – CHEMAINUS
Shift Energy Group has successfully completed the installation of the largest solar array on Vancouver Island for Canadian Bavarian Millwork + Lumber Ltd. Located in Chemainus, this remarkable 318kW system comprises 636 Thornova Solar 500-watt panels and is anticipated to generate 193,266 kWh annually.
The province and Halalt First Nation have partnered to complete six bend-way weirs to stabilize the right bank of the Chemainus River immediately downstream of the Chemainus River bridge on the Trans-Canada Highway. The project is estimated to cost $5.9 million, and work is scheduled to be finished this fall.
The voting period for the Spirit of Ladysmith Business Awards is now open! Voting closes September 16th.
COWICHAN – DUNCAN
Special Woodstock, founded by Shelly Vaags, is celebrating its 25th anniversary.
Owner of Duncan’s Dairy Queen Travis Berthiaume was selected receive the DQ Miracle Maker Award for 2023 in recognition of his efforts in organizing fundraising events to benefit the local hospital. During Miracle Treat Day on August 8, Travis was honoured and celebrated with a number of high-ranking DQ executives.
On August 11, David “Boxcar Bill” Smith, the owner and tattoo artist, launched Hammer Fight Tattoos, the province’s inaugural and sole mobile tattoo studio that has been certified and inspected. Hammer Fight Tattoos is the second of its kind in the entire country.
The Tube Shack, Lake Cowichan’s leading all-inclusive tubing adventure business, will take Duncan Cowichan Chamber of Commerce members tubing down the Cowichan River on Aug. 28th.
Staff at the Cowichan Valley Regional District are recommending expansions of several bus routes in the Cowichan Valley. It remains to be seen whether BC Transit will choose to provide funding for many of them.
Send your business announcements, news, celebrations or new hires HERE