PAT DEAKIN
PORT ALBERNI – I’d like to start this column with a shout-out to the intrepid entrepreneurs leading businesses in these tricky times; the organizations (including municipalities) that have risen to the challenge of putting a number of support systems in place for businesses; and, the employees who contribute to the successful functioning of the many different sectors of the economy.
There are some truly amazing stories in our own community of how small businesses have adapted and continue to deliver products and services to our citizens. Some of that was covered in a column earlier this year, so this month’s piece will touch on the work being done by a few of the larger companies here.
The San Group is investing more than $100 million in new wood-fibre, state-of-the-art processing equipment from different parts of the world. In a sign of the times, engineers and computer technicians from those companies are self-isolating before going on to the work site to get the equipment up and running as it designed to.
Much has been made of this huge investment at a time when the industry is otherwise characterized by uncertainty but the owners of the company, Kamal Sanghera and his brother Suki are known to say “we see opportunity in going against the grain”.
Then there is Canadian Maritime Engineering (CME) who have doubled their work force of 35 to 71 during the pandemic. In the space of 7 years, owners Daniel Russell and Tony Kennedy have turned the company around to a point where they have 3 separate locations they are working from and are still needing more space.
CME, the Port Alberni Port Authority and the City are now doing a full-court press for an investment in a floating drydock which would add another 80 jobs in the 4 and ½ year construction period and another 70 full-time jobs in operations.
Significantly CME, North island College and the Nuu-chah-nulth Tribal Council are preparing for 55 Indigenous apprentices. Our Catalyst division of Paper Excellence continues to develop its food grade paper products while employing its full-time workforce of ~ 340 people and the Coulson Group is fighting fires in different parts of the world and taking its clean technology to yet other continents.
Next month’s column will be devoted to the huge investment being made here in homes and apartments. In the meantime, Stay Safe.
Pat Deakin is the Economic Development Manager for the City of Port Alberni. He can be reached at 250-720-2527 or Patrick_deakin@portalberni.ca