NANAIMO – The Nanaimo Port Authority (NPA) has recently announced that its newest tenant will employ 45 full-time personnel in Central Vancouver Island. Northern Biomass Consulting Ltd. (Northern Biomass), currently located in Prince George, will occupy the Port Authority’s original administration building at 104 Front Street.
“This is the perfect location for our five year-old firm given our need to engage Island resources and to access the global market, an ideal setting for our renewable-resource services,” says Talby McKay, President & Owner of Northern Biomass.
Talby Mckay has over 19 years of experience in the biomass industry as an operator and a manager. He arrived in the industry through part of a family based company in Alberta.
With grinding, shredding and trucking being the industry standard in the biomass industry, Talby has vast experience from operating to full mechanical repairs. Along with a welding and class 1 operator’s licenses he managed three companies and all aspects of the business from field to office.
His experience in the Alberta oil patch as an environmental engineer, crane operator and construction supervisor provided a clear vision for the future in renewable resources. McKay quickly saw that the biomass industry is one with a bright future especially with companies applying a value on environmental concerns along with a more cost effective way of managing excess fibre.
“Plans are in the works for a $20 million plant at Duke Point with a $50 million annual operating budget,” says McKay. “We definitely want to be part of the community and are looking forward to developing our connections with local businesses and residents.”
Northern Biomass Consulting has an international connection working with an affiliate in Denver, Colorado.
“The Port Authority sees Northern Biomass Consulting as one of the ways to the future for development in the local forestry industry that includes new renewable resource options combined with positive impacts on the Island’s economy, the environment and on port services,” says Bernie Dumas, President & CEO of the NPA.
“This a significant step for our community as we continue to advance the Port’s mandate for diversity and to establish new business for the west coast economy.”
