NORTH ISLAND
A collaborative effort between BC Hydro, Island Health and AES, the Port Hardy Hospital Mobile CT scanner has just been delivered to a site in Port Hardy that has been specially prepared to operate on clean power rather than diesel-generated electricity.
The Mental Health and Substance Use office at 7070 Shorncliffe Ave. in Port Hardy now offers free drug testing using the new Fourier-Transform Infrared spectrometer.
The Link River Campground, previously managed by the Regional District of Mount Waddington, is now under the operation of the Village of Port Alice. The village is now actively seeking grants to improve the campground, further enhancing the tourism offerings in the Village of Port Alice.
North Island Kayak, the provider of kayaking adventures in Telegraph Cove, obtains Biosphere Certification, an internationally recognized sustainability certification granted by Biosphere Sustainable.
The inaugural Seed Library on the North Island, which was launched at the Port Hardy branch of Vancouver Island Regional Library (VIRL) a year ago in collaboration with the Mount Waddington Community Food Initiative, is now returning to Port Hardy.
Namgis First Nation and Mosaic Forest Management are celebrating their involvement in a collaborative landscape planning project to improve resource planning in TFL 47. For future generations, the collaborative planning process will preserve forests, animals, fish habitat, and archaeological sites. It will comply with reconciliation, UNDRIP and the Forest and Range Practices Act that governs TFL 47.
The Town of Port McNeill is constructing a new public area nearer to the major commercial and tourist districts to display its famous attraction, the World’s Largest Burl. The town and local volunteers are working with Island Coastal Trust to finish the project before the busy summer tourism season in 2024.
CAMPBELL RIVER
The Campbell River and North Island Transition Society has hired Regina Sangha as the new Women’s Support Worker.
The Ripple Rock Estates private development in Campbell River has just awarded a design-build contract for a packaged water treatment plant to BI Pure Water Canada Inc.
BC Transit has announced that the bus service in Campbell River will resume on February 12th. Stay informed about the latest updates from the Campbell River Transit System by signing up for alerts at bctransit.com/campbell-river/schedules-and-maps/alerts.
Excuse Me Hearing is now open at C 975 Shoppers Row Campbell River.
The BC Chamber of Commerce partnered with Pacific Blue Cross on their Travel Insurance Program to offer comprehensive, competitively priced travel insurance for employers, their employees and immediate family members.
The North Island Outdoor Adventure show is coming to Campbell River April 20th & 21st.
COMOX VALLEY
Edward Henley
Edward Henley has been hired as the new Director of Finance for the Town of Comox.
Catherine L. Miller Estate Law now operates in a new location at the South End of Comox Mall, Unit 25C, 215 Port Augusta Street, Comox.
The following businesses have been announced winners at the most recent Comox Valley Chamber of Commerce Awards held on January 27 at the Florence Filberg Centre:
- Business of the Year Award: 40 Knots Winery
- Small Business of the Year Award: Chrissie Bowker Projects
- New Business of the Year Award: Gerritsen Brooks Appraisal Ltd.
- Young Entrepreneur of the Year Award: Jorie Gough
- Your Rock Youth Leadership Award: Benoit Vaillant
- Diversioty and Inclusion Award: Edward & Parnell Barber Shoppe
- Family First Award: Thermo Tec Mechanical
- Innovative Business Award: Broken Squirrel Wellness
- Sustainability Award: Habitat for Humanity / Restore
- Not for Profit Award: L’arche Comox Valley
- Heritage Recognition Award: Edible Island Whole Foods
- Customer Service Award: On The Fly Cafe
- Business Leadership Award: Bert Heeringa
- Lifetime Achievement Award: Ken Grant
- President’s Merit Award: Karen McKinnon
PORT ALBERNI
Vittoria Solda
Vittoria Solda has been recognized by Royal LePage with the Red Diamond Award for 2023.
Karen Hento has recently opened Second Chance Used Books in Port Alberni’s Uptown, located at 3080 Fourth Avenue, just across from Little Bavaria Restaurant.
Rachel Ritchie’s Fourth House Vintage, located at 3218 Unit A Third Avenue, first opened its doors to the public last fall. The store sells a variety of vintage furnishings, including both restored and unrestored items, as well as lighting and home decor.
Robin Miles, head brewer and co-owner of Dog Mountain Brewing, will be hosting the International Women’s Day and Pink Boots Brew Day on March 9.
Curated Consignment has opened its third location in the former home of Azalea Flowers & Gifts on Adelaide Street.
The City of Port Alberni‘s first draft financial plan proposes a 16.86 per cent tax increase for 2024. Current service levels across the city are proposed to remain unchanged in the draft budget, which largely adheres to the 2023–2027 financial plan.
Mossy Maple Hair Studio, a Port Alberni business located at 4311 10th Avenue, is celebrating five years in business.
The good/kind consignment store, owned by Adrienne Findlay, is located at Unit 13 Harbour Quay in Port Alberni.
TOFINO – UCLUELET
Chesterman Beach in Tofino has earned a spot on Lonely Planet’s esteemed top 20 list.
Bus service between Ucluelet, Tofino, and neighbouring First Nations communities is anticipated to be operational by the Alberni Clayoquot Regional District by April. On December 6, Watt Consulting Group‘s Shilpa Panicker expressed to the West Coast Committee of the ACRD that the service has reached an estimated 70 percent implementation stage.
PARKSVILLE – QUALICUM BEACH
A formal agreement was been made between Mosaic Forest Management and the Arrowsmith Cycling Club (ACC) that grants ACC official access to manage, maintain and utilize the Hammerfest Trail Network. In exchange, Mosaic gets the guarantee that its users will act responsibly and place a premium on safety.
A survey outlining the aims and purposes of the transportation master plan (TMP) has been initiated by the city of Parksville. Currently in its second phase, the City of Parksville‘s Transportation Master Plan (TMP) aims to offer a thorough blueprint that takes into account the evolving demands and aspirations of the community. It will serve as a guide to establish a mobility network that is harmonious, effective and long-lasting, in line with the community’s aspirations and objectives.
A Community Wildfire Resiliency Plan is being developed by the Town of Qualicum Beach with the goal of enhancing the community’s ability to withstand and recover from wildfires. According to the announcement, a wildfire expert from Diamond Head Consulting Ltd is helping to build the strategy, which will help identify the community’s risk of wildfires and propose a set of strategic actions to reduce that risk.
The Parksville & District Chamber of Commerce‘s Business after Business is on February 15th at the Parksville Community Center, 223 Mills Street.
The Parksville & District Chamber of Commerce welcomes its newest members, Janette Hooper Software and Cruises, Oceanside Recreation Therapy, and Ghostwriter Business Academy.
The Jensen Centre at 132 E. Jensen Avenue, will host the 2024 Hiring Fair on March 8th.
NANAIMO
Subaru Canada, Inc, (SCI) hit the ground running in 2024, retailing 5,675 units for a best-ever January. In January 2023, Subaru Canada sold 3,058 units, making the same period in 2024 an 85.6 per cent increase.
A non-profit organization called the Black Entrepreneurs and Businesses of Canada Society has initiated the Black Pitch Contest. This contest provides an opportunity for Black entrepreneurs to present their business ideas and compete for a prize of $25,000.
British Columbia has appointed Michael Fleming, a former mediator and associate chair of the BC Labour Relations Board, and representatives of workers’ and employers’ interests to serve on a three-member panel assigned with recommending possible amendments to the Labour Relations Code.
The Thrive Family Health clinic, recently opened by Dr. Shirin Madjzoub and Dr. Diana Ruffell, was the first recipient of a $30,000 forgivable loan facilitated by the Nanaimo Division of Family Practice and the Nanaimo and District Hospital Foundation.
The Vancouver Island Exhibition in Nanaimo is scheduled for September 20-22, 2024.
The Nanaimo Airport (YCD) has been recognized for its excellent initiatives in lowering greenhouse gas emissions with the Airport Council International‘s Airport Carbon Accreditation Level 2 Certification.
A memorandum of understanding was signed by Ravi Kahlon, the housing minister of British Columbia, and Leonard Krog, the mayor of Nanaimo, to pledge to increased housing help and a response to homelessness in the city. The city agreed to facilitate land-use rulings for new supportive housing initiatives in collaboration with the province via BC Housing and to advance available land through the MOU.
LADYSMITH – CHEMAINUS
Wanda Smith of Chemainus has reached the halfway point in her fundraising effort for the Intensive Care Unit of the new Cowichan District Hospital, advancing steadily toward her goal of raising $25,000.
Ironworks Café & Crêperie is reopening on February 16th at 422 Esplanade Avenue, Ladysmith.
COWICHAN – DUNCAN
The owners of the Caprice Twin Theatres in Duncan, located at 404 Duncan St., have announced their intention to reopen the facility. It originally closed on December 30.
Small Block Brewing‘s newly hired Greek-food fanatic Gayle Hurmuses will be cooking up some heart-shaped pans of Greek-inspired “Baklavalentines” for Valentine’s Day.
Limona Group’s Stonebridge master plan includes rebuilding Mill Bay’s Pioneer Square. This master plan will develop single-family, single-family with supplementary suites, duplexes, townhouses, rental apartments, and elders housing in Mill Bay.
Local governments in the Cowichan Valley have been granted over $800,000 in provincial funding to expedite the construction of new homes in their communities. This initiative is a direct response to the recently implemented housing legislation.
The 2024 Canadian Whisky Awards were won by Duncan’s Stillhead Distillery for Best Cask Strength Whisky and Best Single Barrel Release, respectively, earning them the title of “Best in Canada.”
Tourism Cowichan and 4VI‘s free industry training and networking lunch at Arbutus Ridge Golf Club on Feb. 12 is still accepting registration. The Biosphere Commitment Program, tourism development, 4VI updates, grant writing assistance, media engagement advice, go2HR HR advisory services, marketing tactics, and energy evaluations from Fortis BC are just a few of the important subjects that will be covered.
Pink Shirt Bowling Night, presented by the Duncan Cowichan Chamber of Commerce, will take place at Duncan Lanes Bowling Centre on February 26.
Energy Plug Technologies and the Malahat First Nation have formed a public-private partnership to construct a massive battery-systems factory within the new industrial park. One hundred new jobs will be created at the facility as a result of this joint venture, which will also develop innovative battery energy storage systems to aid in the transition to renewable energy.
The newly formed Agricultural Advisory Committee for the Municipality of North Cowichan is seeking eight volunteers with backgrounds in agriculture, food security, or a closely related field.
Send your business news, updates and celebrations to media@businessexaminer.ca
Business Examiner Staff
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