http://www.investkootenay.com Bringing people to the Kootenays en-us Copyright 2010 - Invest Kootenay Wed, 18 Nov 2009 13:25:54 -0800 http://www.investkootenay.com/news.php?id=37 http://www.investkootenay.com/news.php?id=37 Wed, 18 Nov 2009 13:25:54 -0800 The picturesque town of Nakusp creates an ideal atmosphere for a horse-drawn carriage ride. Rosemary Hughes had just such a vision in mind when she started up Mountain Valley Farms, a business that offers historical and pleasure tours around the area. The perfect team “It took a long time to find the proper combination of horse and carriage,” said Hughes. “It took about a year and a half of research. I did the Start Smart program through Community Futures and I started on July 1 with the Canada Day parade. I’ve actually had the horses and carriage and wagon for two years.” The company’s carriage and wagon are pulled by a team of two Clydesdales—Terry and Yankee—both of whom are well-suited to working life. “They came from Osoyoos and they were already…very well trained,” said Hughes. “Nothing fazes them—semis, motorbikes, dogs—they are very calm and gentle. They love people!” Choose your tour Mountain Valley Farms offers different services to meet the needs of customers. “What we do is we offer tours in Nakusp with the carriage, and we offer a historical tour as well as pleasure,” said Hughes, “and with the wagon we do backcountry either to Box Lake or Summit Lake, so you can pack up your family and a picnic lunch and go through the backcountry. We do weddings as well, because the carriage is a vis-a-vis carriage (in which two people sit face to face) and it’s quite beautiful for weddings.” One thing is for certain—Rosemary Hughes has a passion for her work and for the community. This is evident by the hard work she put into the research, and it was apparent in her voice when she talked about her business. “It’s a wonderful thing, the history of Nakusp,” said Hughes. “I love sharing our town with people because it’s a beautiful area and it’s got a very rich heritage as well. I just love doing it.” To reserve a wagon or carriage tour, call 250-265-8265. http://www.investkootenay.com/news.php?id=36 http://www.investkootenay.com/news.php?id=36 Wed, 18 Nov 2009 13:20:18 -0800 Nelson, B.C., resident Rik Logtenberg is an environmentalist with a mission. His aim: to encourage local prosperity and ecologically sound choices with respect to commerce. He and his brother Ryan decided to launch Gyos—a website based on this goal—in June of 2009, and it has been a tremendous asset to Nelson and other nearby communities ever since. “(We were inspired by) a desire to encourage the reusing of used goods to help lessen the demand on our natural resources in the production and transportation of new goods,” said Logtenberg. “We also want to help communities keep their money local. The more people exchange locally, the more prosperous their communities will be. This is called the multiplier effect and has a big impact on prosperity.” Expanding horizons “Gyos” stands for “Get/Give/Grow Your Own Stuff” and the site features a local network offering everything from free classifieds and community event notices, to job postings and personal ads. It serves to recycle items (and money) within the community, easing the financial burden during tough economic times, and reducing our environmental footprint at the same time. For those who are health-conscious, there is a section of the site devoted to the 5 Mile Diet, a local/seasonal nutritional plan that encourages participants to buy and eat food that is obtained within five miles of their home. Gyos even has a page for wildlife sightings to be reported, complete with a Google map to illustrate. The site is free and user-friendly. Working as a team No endeavour is complete without the co-operation and devotion of everyone involved. “We have a good team of dedicated individuals that have accepted each challenge as an opportunity to improve Gyos,” said Logtenberg. “It’s always tough to launch a new website, but with hard work and perseverance, we have succeeded. So it’s been a learning experience.” Visit www.gyos.ca and check out the ongoing list of resources and connections that are now available. http://www.investkootenay.com/news.php?id=35 http://www.investkootenay.com/news.php?id=35 Wed, 18 Nov 2009 13:15:58 -0800 Edmond Kodzo Alonyo Segbeaya, or more commonly known around the east and west Kootenays as the hot sauce guy, has been busy building and promoting his fiery hot sauce around the world. Segbeaya is originally from the Togolese Republic in West Africa and came to Nelson, B.C., in 2001. Segbeaya has been in Nelson ever since, and has been bringing products of his country to the residents of the Kootenays. Ebesse Zozo, the name of his product and the Togolese word for Habanero pepper, is the main ingredient of Segbeaya’s sauce that got him a spot on CBC’s Dragon’s Den. A great opportunity In May, CBC hosted Dragon’s Den auditions around Canada, looking for great entrepreneurs to pitch their ideas to five multi-millionaire dragons. Segbeaya was at the audition in Nelson and wowed the producers. A few months later, he received an e-mail telling him he would be appearing on the show, which would be filmed in Toronto and airing October 7, 2009. Segbeaya was more than thrilled with the opportunity. “It was so amazing,” said Segbeaya. “I went to Toronto to do the taping for the show with the dragons and I met them and it was so interesting. I was a little scared—these people are scary and they don’t treat people very well most of the time. But they were so nice to me, and they were so polite and they treated me with respect. I felt like I really was somebody.” Filming the show was the experience of a lifetime, said Segbeaya. He prides himself on how hot his hot sauce is and while the dragons are resilient, their taste buds are not so tough—Segbeaya’s Ebesse Zozo hot sauce hot sauce made two of the dragons cry. Award-winning spice “Robert (Herjavec) tried all of the sauces and he told me that they were not hot,” said Segbeaya. “I was suprised, and wondered how hot he can take it, and I asked him if he was serious and he said, ‘yes’ so I gave him the cayenne tincture—and he started crying, and he said repeatedly, ‘I hate you, I hate you, I hate you.’ It was so funny, and one of the dragon’s asked him, ‘was it really hot?’ and he said, ‘oh yah, that’s the hottest thing I have ever had in my life.’ ” Unfortunately, the dragons did not accept Segbeaya’s offer of $400,000 for 25 per cent of his company and Segbeaya was not willing to offer more. However, as a funny, grateful and inspiring man, he views his experience on the Dragon’s Den as a blessing. “I don’t blame them,” said Segbeaya. “They know how to do their job and use their money, and I am trying to do my job too. It is no problem—I am okay. It was a great experience to be in front of those powerful people.” Ebesse Zozo has received many international and local awards, including the 2006 America Best Zesty Professional Foods Contest and the Fiery Food Challenge presented by Chile Pepper magazine. Currently, Ebesse Zozo is available in Canada, the U.S. and online. www.awassi.net http://www.investkootenay.com/news.php?id=33 http://www.investkootenay.com/news.php?id=33 Fri, 21 Aug 2009 14:43:30 -0800 Are you suffering from “recession depression?” Business owners in the Kootenays, like business owners everywhere, are faced with two choices in this time of economic uncertainty: we can let the barrage of bad news throw us into a frenzied panic or we can view the turmoil as an opportunity. Here are some tips to help you thrive in any economy but especially in challenging times like the ones we currently face. 1. Keep the wheels in motion. Keep your marketing wheels moving forward. This is probably the worst time to cut back on marketing and promotion. In fact, study after study shows businesses that continue marketing are the ones that come out ahead when the economy turns around. 2. Get back to basics. Focus on the core of your business. Concentrate your efforts on product lines and brands that tie in to major industry trends and offer solid return-on-investment potential. The right product, at the right price, supported by the right marketing will give you a competitive advantage. 3. Motivate. Tough times can grind on the morale of staff and management. Make sure your people understand your company’s strategy. Be up front about the realities your company or industry is facing. 4. Innovate. Remember, the little guy has a real opportunity when the big spenders start to cut back or retrench. Do your market research and look for innovative ways to position your company or product. 5. Reach out and touch someone. One of the most overlooked business opportunities comes from your existing client base. In difficult times, customers want security and reassurance. Connecting with your customers will encourage their continued loyalty. Don’t be afraid to ask them for a referral. 6. Form an advisory board. Get together with a small group of employees, customers and other business people, then seek out their input and advice. Brainstorm and cultivate new ideas. Don’t dampen enthusiasm, energy or creative ideas. From these sessions might come the idea that will position your company to succeed for many years to come. 7. Communicate, communicate, communicate. In challenging times it easy to insulate or even isolate oneself. Make sure your key people—clients, employees, business partners, investors, family—understand clearly what you are doing and why. Quality communication goes a long way in dispelling uncertainty and negativity. 8. Make constant improvement. Now is an ideal time to evaluate all your policies, procedures and mandates. Are they still relevant in today’s economy? Can they be streamlined? Can some be eliminated with a goal of making it easier to do business with you? Take out your magnifying glass and do a thorough inspection of every aspect of your business. Then revamp as necessary and do it quickly. 9. Survey your customers. Invite your customers’ input and reach out to them. Develop a short list of questions that ask your customers to rate your products, service, convenience and staff. What do they like or dislike about your company? Gather the results and take action to implement their suggestions. Be sure to let your customers know you appreciate their input and that you are committed to making improvements. It’s as simple as sending your customers an e-mail with a link to a website like www.surveymonkey.com. 10. Inspire customers and employees. Optimism has been a key ingredient for many companies—inspiring consumers and building strong brands—through the last 10 recessions. Through the years, Coca-Cola’s optimistic messaging has become legendary. For example, in the middle of the 1980s recessionary years the message was “Have a Coke and a smile.” 11. Integrate your marketing. Make sure your marketing message is integrated and cohesive across all your media buys—whether it’s print, electronic, Internet, e-mail, website, billboard or couponing. When your message is consistent, then a small increase in your budget can give you a big boost. 12. Seize new opportunities. In a recession it is common that the “garage economy” will spring up. Look for opportunities to acquire such start-ups or adapt their technology to help position your company for the future. 13. Get help. Now is a great time to sharpen your own skills and become a better manager. Take a class, read a book or network with others to enhance your knowledge base. Sign up for a business improvement course offered by your chamber of commerce or local Community Futures office. Story and photo by Keith Powell http://www.investkootenay.com/news.php?id=32 http://www.investkootenay.com/news.php?id=32 Fri, 21 Aug 2009 11:38:15 -0800 Long-time Creston resident Lori Cameron had always enjoyed the art of card making—so when she started Tigz Designs in 2006, it was no surprise that the home-based business took off with great success. She has since expanded her range to incorporate personalized hanging and magnetic calendars with photos and embellishments, candy packets for different occasions, business cards and more—all customizable according to the customers’ wishes. Cameron also sells boxed sets of personalized notes with company logos or photos of choice, children’s cards that include suckers or puzzles, and amazing photography cards highlighting everything from fun animal shots to beautiful B.C. scenery. Many of her materials either come directly from nature or are handmade. “It inspires me to think that one of my cards might bring a smile to someone’s face or to help a person express themselves to someone special in their life,” said Cameron. “I love designing—coming up with new things, using different materials.” Cameron takes particular pride in her pet cards, featuring gorgeous and sometimes hilarious photos of her own pets and other animals. What makes these even more special is the fact that she donates a portion of her proceeds to Creston’s PAWS (Pet Adoption and Welfare Society), a group dedicated to the rescue, rehabilitation and adoption of animals in need. “In June, 2008, I started contributing $1 per sale of each of my pet cards to PAWS,” explained Cameron. “Knowing how PAWS has helped save many pets and how they have been working hard to establish a full-service animal facility in the Creston Valley, I thought I could help them out. Between the sales and donations, Tigz Designs was able to donate $300 from June to December of last year. When word got out, several people such as Amanda Wells from Tails Pet Supply in Rossland, Donna Nelson, PAWS, Marianne from Shalakaus Shepherds in Creston, and several other people started sending me photos to use as their donation to help PAWS.” Another factor in the success of Tigz Designs is the customer service that Cameron offers. “No matter what a customer has asked me to do, I always enjoy working with them to come up with something special for them,” said Cameron. “I had a lady from England that found my website, and she had family in Port Coquitlam. She knew she couldn’t get a card sent from her address to arrive in time for her little nephew’s birthday. She had me mail it directly from Creston, along with a gift. It is very important to me to have a customer happy with the service I offer, no matter how big or small the order is.” Cameron finds inspiration in many places. “Sometimes it will be a funny picture of an animal, sometimes beautiful scenery,” said Cameron, “sometimes when a customer calls to tell me they want something that I have never done before. I once got asked to design Christmas tree ornaments from pictures of a gentleman’s current and past pets. It was to be a Christmas gift for his wife. Also when someone wants a card made up and tells me a bit about the person it’s for, that always inspires me to come up with something unique for them.” http://www.investkootenay.com/news.php?id=34 http://www.investkootenay.com/news.php?id=34 Fri, 21 Aug 2009 10:36:39 -0800 According to the Nelson and Area New Resident Survey, 255 new families (representing 571 new people) relocated to Nelson in the year ending May 31, 2009 – down about 5% from last year. Each year Nelson’s Welcome Wagon distributes the survey to new households, and the data gets collected and analyzed by Community Futures Central Kootenay, a community economic development agency. Nelson gets disproportionate number of younger adults (see graph on attachment) The survey found that Nelson continues to attract a disproportionate number of younger new residents (0-4, 20-24, 25-44 age groups), a trend first discovered last year when age was asked for the first time on the survey. In fact, those between 20-44 made up 57% of new residents compared to these age groups representing just over a one third of Nelson’s population in the 2006 Census. Seventeen percent of new residents were 45-64 (vs. 28% of the Nelson population in the 2006 Census) while only 3.7% were over 65 years of age (vs. 15% of the 2006 Nelson population). These numbers defy the trend seen in most Canadian rural communities that are seeing few young migrants and many older ones. Forty-nine children under four moved to the community in the year, another encouraging trend. This represents 8.7% of new migrants, almost double the 4.7% representing that age in the general population. Where are they coming from? BC first, Alberta drops, Ontario Up. Fifty-two percent of newcomers moved from other parts of BC. The number of families coming from Alberta dropped a third from 61 to 40, representing about 16% of new residents. Meanwhile, 30 families (12%) moved to the area from Ontario, up from 23 last year. The other top sources of families were the US with 14 (6%) and Saskatchewan with 9 families (4%). Five families moved from various parts of continental Europe while another five moved from the United Kingdom. Several families moved from sunnier climates to brave Nelson’s snowy conditions, with two families each arriving from South Africa and Australia. For the first time on record, a family moved here from the Bahamas. Heard it from a friend Almost half of new residents learned of the area through family and friends while 23% discovered the area while driving through or vacationing here, both trends consistent with previous years. Thirty-three families (13%) had lived here before, 27 (11%) had lived nearby, while another 23 families (9%) came for a job opportunity. Lifestyle, be near family top motivators Almost two-thirds of new residents cited a lifestyle change as a reason to move to Nelson, followed by one-third wanting to be closer to family. A job opportunity or transfer was a motivator for 71 families (28%) while another 60 families (23%) listed the scenery and weather of the Kootenays. Thirty-six families (14%) came here for school. Only 14 families (5%) admitted to coming here to retire or semi-retire, down from an all-time high of 24 families last year. Only 10 families (4%) moved to the area to start or buy a business. A further 9 families moved to the area for the hospital or specialized medical services. Internet big – 55% look at promotional material before coming When asked about promotional material prior to moving to the Nelson area, 55% of respondents said that they had seen some prior to moving, down from two-thirds last year. Almost 80% of those looking at promotional material checked out Nelson and area web-sites. Further down the list were magazines/newspapers (12%), TV/radio (7%), travel brochures (5%) and real estate ads (2%). Sadly, the movie Roxanne, seems to have lost its luster with only 6% listing it, this following last year’s brief resurgence (17%). Very satisfied Like previous years, most people moving to Nelson are more than satisfied with the experience. Nearly all (96%) of the new Nelson residents said that the Central Kootenays had lived up to their expectations, while only one person said that it had not. Nine felt it too early to make a judgment. Affordable housing, more rentals cited as improvements needed New Nelson residents offered more than 100 suggestions on how to improve the region. Twenty-six respondents felt there needed to be more rental or affordable housing. Twenty thought the cost of living was high (food, shelter, etc.). Seven felt bus service needed to be improved. Other recurring themes were on improving recycling, changing dog bylaws, providing snow removal, more jobs and child care. Sixty-two respondents liked things as they are. TD Bank and Tim Hortons Most Requested Missing Businesses A TD Bank was the business most missed by new residents, 14 of whom wanted to see a full-service branch. Twelve respondents wanted their timbits (Tim Hortons) while four requested The Bay or another department store. Costco, Canadian Tire, Home Depot, and a moderately priced clothing shop were cited by three respondents each. The New Resident Survey has been sponsored by Community Futures Central Kootenay and distributed by the Nelson & District Welcome Wagon Committee for more than 15 years. People who move into the Nelson area (includes Proctor, Balfour, 10 miles south of Nelson, and South Slocan) each year are contacted. The results of these surveys are compiled yearly by Community Futures and circulated to other agencies and Municipal and Regional governments. For more information contact Carmen Harrison (charrison@futures.bc.ca) or Lisa Cannady (lcannady@futures.bc.ca) at Community Futures - (250) 352-1933. http://www.investkootenay.com/news.php?id=31 http://www.investkootenay.com/news.php?id=31 Thu, 26 Mar 2009 15:13:15 -0800 Pics Canada of Kaslo was given the Going Global award at the Small Business BC event held in Vancouver on March 12. The event honours businesses from across the province and Pics Canada was chosen from over 100 entries The Going Global award is presented to the contestant who demonstrates the most viable import/export business plan. Judges considered how contestants plan to enter the global markets taking into account their marketing strategies, distribution and selling strategies and knowledge of the countries' entry regulations. Randy Bencke and Pat Gemmill started their business, Pics Canada, in Kaslo in January of 2008. Their Picture Mug products are designed so photos, artwork or even fabric can be placed in a display area, and changed as often as one wants, thus totally customizing the mug to the owners’ preference. The mugs are made of high quality stainless steel and the design keeps the displayed artwork or photos dry. Stainless steel Picture Water Bottles will soon be available as well. Contest judges stated that the Pics Canada business plan showed “Realistic expectations of their business growth, clear understanding of the costs of importing, well defined target market and a clear strategy for achieving sales”. The judges went on to say that Pics Canada also provides “clear and compelling marketing materials”. “Congratulations to the winners on their successful business plans,” said Ida Chong, Minister of Small Business, Technology and Economic Development. “Small business is vital to our economy, and it is the innovative efforts of our entrepreneurs that make such positive contributions to small business success in British Columbia.” Pics Canada also won the Community Futures award for Overcoming Barriers to Business in October 2008. Pics Canada is demonstrating corporate responsibility by donating a portion of its sales to Global Water, an NGO that works on water supply projects around the world. http://www.investkootenay.com/news.php?id=26 http://www.investkootenay.com/news.php?id=26 Tue, 24 Mar 2009 17:37:45 -0800 According to Castlegar’s Director of Development Services, Phil Markin, Castlegar’s prospects are better than they’ve ever been. “I would think that we’re going in a very positive direction,” said Markin. “We’ve got a number of subdivisions in the works—some of which the infrastructure is already complete. The one I’m speaking about is Grandview Heights seniors housing development; it will be done over three phases with ultimately 257 units. (There is) the Twin River Estates development as well: Phase 1 infrastructure is proceeding and the ultimate development out of that will be 110 lots.” Markin said other real estate developments are currently in the planning and early construction phases; as well, new retail developments are occuring in the city. And while Castlegar showed a slight decrease in population in the latest census, Markin believes that trend is changing. “We’re certainly seeing an increase in the number of building permits,” said Markin. “The Grandview Heights have already applied for 34 single-family dwelling permits. We normally average around 25 housing starts around here, so something’s happening.” Markin said the number of business licences issued has increased over the last year as well. Castlegar’s greatest appeal may be its geographical location and available recreational opportunities, according to Markin. “I think we’re being looked at more as a central municipality between Calgary and Vancouve,” said Markin. “We’re 3 1/2 hours away from Kelowna, we’re three hours from Spokane, so we’re quite central. We’ve got the Selkirk College here, which is a good draw. We’ve got the regional airport. I’ve been here all of my life and I just love it. I’m quite positive about the direction Castlegar is going.” Story by Tanya Laing Photo by Doug Pyper: Castlegar's Director of Development Services, Phil Markin, is pleased by the city's growth http://www.investkootenay.com/news.php?id=29 http://www.investkootenay.com/news.php?id=29 Tue, 24 Mar 2009 17:35:00 -0800 Octopus Productions is the driving force behind the Nakusp Music Festival. For three days each July, the small mountain town of Nakusp becomes the epicentre of the summer music festival universe, proving that it indeed does take a village to raise a rock festival. Now rocking into five years of existence, the multi-day music extravaganza that has become a permanent fixture on many a music lover’s calendar didn’t happen overnight, and literally has thousands of people to credit for its success. One of the catalysts to getting the festival rolling was Willi Jahnke, a German ex-patriate who had been organizing music events for more than 15 years in his native land under the brand Octopus Productions. “It was a group of local people that decided they wanted to put on a festival, so it really started as a non-profit organization,” said Doug Switzer, Jahnke’s partner in Octopus Productions. “They brought Willi in who has had the company Octopus Productions doing rock concerts in Germany for over 15 years. He was living in town and so got involved with it.” There were numerous challenges in trying to pull off a music festival in such a small and remote area. Finding supporters and volunteers for the event proved to be the easy part. Finding the money to pull it off was a little more difficult. “The first year it was basically done with very little money,” Switzer said. “I think people used their personal credit cards to finance the thing in the first year. As it got bigger and bigger, we started working on contract with the Nakusp Roots Music Society which is the non-profit group that puts on the festival. We are contracted for the production and administration of the event.” Jahnke and Switzer’s contribution to the music festival was largely in bringing in the production expertise and relationships with managers of big name acts to add some star power to the lineup. The bulk of the effort in pulling off the event comes from the enormous community and volunteer support that the Nakusp Roots Music Society has pulled together to host thousands of concert-goers. “It’s a huge challenge to do something like this in a small town like Nakusp, and the only reason the music fest works, is because they’ve got an incredible board of directors and a large pool of really talented volunteers,” said Switzer. “Their people just work endless hours volunteering to put that thing together. I don’t think people have any idea how much work the Nakusp Roots Music Society puts into it. That’s the biggest challenge—to keep people working, and not to burn out the people that are here, because there is so much work to putting it on.” Working together as a team of five, Octopus Productions, with Jahnke and Switzer as partners in the company, have really made their mark on the music world with their professionalism in dealing with big name artists. In order to attract the big stars and have them return year after year Octopus must meet the high end demands of the acts as most musicians have never heard of Nakusp. “We try to keep the event as professional as we can,” said Switzer. “When it’s not a good idea to cut corners we don’t do it, and particularly when dealing with the bands. They’re used to doing things a certain way and they want to know that we’re professional enough to know what’s expected.” The 2008 version of the festival was highlighted by the likes of Aaron Prichett, Johnny Reed, Smashmouth and Doug’s favourite act of the weekend, Paul Rodgers, the ex-front man for Free, Bad Company and now Queen. The diversity of the music—from rock, country, big band, blues and of course ’80s glam with the likes of Prism—opens up the appeal of the show to a wide range of audiences that come from near and far to take in three days of lakes, music and mountains. Selling out this year, the little festival that probably brought more than 5,000 people a day through the concert grounds has an estimated $3 million dollar impact on the local economy. The quality of the event put on and the economic impact on the community are large factors in the town’s acceptance of the festival. “I think we enjoy pretty widespread support in the community,” said Switzer. “We did a poll last year and it came in that overall about 75 per cent of the town supported the music fest. I think that’s pretty good. You’re not going to find any issue that you get 75 per cent of the people agreeing on in any town.” Now looking to the future with the success of the Nakusp Music Festival under their belts, Octopus is reaching out to other locales to produce events. The soon to be completed South Okanagan event centre in Penticton will feature an Octopus-produced event featuring Feist as the venue’s grand opening act and five days later they’ll bring Chicago to town for the band’s first appearance in the Okanagan. Setting their foundation as a company grounded in community values, Octopus Productions’ future should remain bright as they stick to their method of building community support for their events. “I think the core thing to do something like the Nakusp Music Festival is that you have to get support from the community, you’ve got to get that volunteer base and that group that’s going to work on it,” said Switzer. “It’s a huge thing to do in a small place and you can’t just do it with money. It’s got to be a community effort and a community project to get it done and make it work.” Story by Andrew Zwicker Photo by Andrew Zwicker: The sun sets on Saturday evening at the main stage of the 2008 Nakusp Music Festival http://www.investkootenay.com/news.php?id=28 http://www.investkootenay.com/news.php?id=28 Mon, 23 Mar 2009 17:23:42 -0800 With FortisBC as a partner, Springer Creek Forest Products recently upgraded its lumber mill with new energy efficient equipment and technology, improving air quality in the Slocan Valley and saving tens of thousands of dollars in electricity costs. “It is rare to get a win/win opportunity like this, where we can lessen our impact on the environment, improve air quality and at the same time reduce operating costs,” said Ralph Tomlin, general manager, Springer Creek Forest Products. “In challenging economic times like these, it is important to be as efficient as possible, and we appreciate the support we have received from FortisBC on this project.” FortisBC provided a $43,000 PowerSense rebate to Springer Creek Forest Products in Slocan, after the company incorporated energy efficient upgrades and technology in several areas of its mill and operations. The most significant component of the project was completed in August 2008. The mill’s old beehive burner and its 1,300-horsepower motors were decommissioned and a new hogging system was installed to process the wood waste. The hog uses half the horsepower and processes the wood waste in half the time of the beehive burner. The raw material going into the hog consists primarily of sawdust, bark, shavings and some white wood. Story by Keith Powell Photo courtesy of www.fortisbc.ca http://www.investkootenay.com/news.php?id=30 http://www.investkootenay.com/news.php?id=30 Sat, 24 Jan 2009 17:34:48 -0800 Drs. Jane Grey and Stephanie Cameron operate one of the busiest medical spas—the Rossland Medical Aesthetics & Day Spa—in the Kootenay region, and with the recent opening of a second centre in Castlegar, the year ahead looks very promising—and busy. Both Grey and Cameron were family physicians who had worked together in Rossland. Independently, they had planned to work in aesthetics, but when they each discovered the other had similar plans, the women decided to collaborate on a business that would combine medical aesthetics with spa services. “There are a lot of skin conditions that we can make a difference in…that’s often superior to what’s offered in traditional medical care,” said Grey. The medical spas have been very well received by both tourists and local residents. “It’s exciting to not have to travel to Kelowna or Vancouver for these treatments,” said Cameron. “We offer a holistic approach to wellness.” Cameron said the mission of the two centres is to help clients look and feel their best at any age, and both women take great satisfaction in seeing positive results. “It’s not about vanity; it’s about self-esteem,“ said Cameron. http://www.investkootenay.com/news.php?id=24 http://www.investkootenay.com/news.php?id=24 Mon, 22 Dec 2008 14:07:14 -0800 The Grand Forks Community Looks Beyond Forestry for Survival According to Jennifer Wetmore, the community economic development co-ordinator for Grand Forks Community Futures, the Kootenay Boundary region has taken stock of its strengths as a means of combatting the job losses in a slumping forest industry. While agriculture is at the forefront of the region’s push for diversification, Wetmore said businesses around Grand Forks are taking a greater lead in creating their own opportunities to remain viable. “We believe that the market will turn around and we’ll be able to get back into (forestry) in a big way, but we need to look at other options right now,” said Wetmore. “It has been rough for the community. The region itself is at—I think—30 or more per cent unemployment.” However, programs such as Invest Kootenay are helping to create opportunities that are being seized by the region, and manufacturing-related businesses—such as Roxul and UniFab—have been very strong and consistent employers. Wetmore and Cher Wyers, the manager of the Grand Forks & District Chamber of Commerce, agreed that the family-centred lifestyle of the region draws and keeps the community together, even during tough economic times, and that it is a centrally located hub for southern B.C. and U.S. access. And with the increased focus on diversification, the region is ideally situated for business and growth as the economy begins to improve. “The merchants downtown have diversified too,” said Wyers, “and some of them have been there a long time.” “I think the businesses, if they have a dream and a vision, a lot of them are making it work here,” said Wetmore. Story and Photo by Tanya Laing http://www.investkootenay.com/news.php?id=21 http://www.investkootenay.com/news.php?id=21 Mon, 17 Nov 2008 14:49:59 -0800 A new fibre optic network based in Radium Hot Springs will offer cutting-edge Internet services and more, providing residents with technology not yet available in larger centres. When it comes to technology and connectivity, the usual rule of thumb is that large corporations in the biggest cities benefit first from new advances. From there, it filters down to carriers who distribute the services to people within the city, eventually branching out to smaller nearby municipalities. It can be years before people in rural areas enjoy the same services as urban dwellers. Mark Halwa of NanoFibre Networks Inc. in Radium Hot Springs, however, is seeking to buck that trend. The revolutionary technology that leaves other forms of connectivity far behind in terms of delivery speed—including DSL, cable and high-speed wireless—will have a hub in Radium Hot Springs, which is also the first municipality in the Kootenay region to have access to the open access fibre optic network. The business was incorporated in 2006, when Halwa, Greg Deck and Hank Swartout formed a partnership when interest in a high-speed broadband open network was expressed in the Columbia Valley. The network was launched in Radium Hot Springs in July 2008. Leading the way Deck, who is the mayor of Radium Hot Springs, said the choice to use the village as the starting ground for a new network was quite deliberate, based on the municipality’s population. “It’s not an accident that it happened in Radium,” said Deck. “It may be absolutely small, but it is one of the most dense communities in the region, so we were able to reach a lot more customers with a lot fewer metres of fibre here.” The population density allows the network to get off the ground at a more reasonable cost. It’s also a reflection of the success of the municipal council’s urban planning, with its focus on smart growth, that is giving Radium the advantageous edge for the new network that will eventually be extended throughout the Kootenay region. Using existing infrastructure—the utility poles that also carry phone lines to the area—NanoFibre is able to connect users through dedicated individual fibres that will provide world-class Internet and phone services—including analog and VoIP telephony—with plans for TV, medical and educational services to be available soon. The utility pole backbone will also allow the network to expand throughout the Kootenay region. Sicamous Developments Advertisement “The goal is to connect as many homes as we can on the entire (existing) fibre backbone, which is 140 kilometres,” said Halwa. “There are 10,000 doors in those 140 kilometres and we believe that we can connect 59 per cent of them in 10 years.” Reaching farther The network has already expanded. Halwa said Spirits Reach has been connected to the fibre network, and Invermere is coming online as well. The end-of-the-line points are currently located in Spillimacheen and Spirits Reach, and six other communities within that area are being researched in terms of infrastructure to be connected within the next few months. But there are organizations that take priority within new centres, Halwa noted: schools and medical centres will be the first in line. Halwa is putting his money where his mouth is as far as ensuring that students benefit from the network. Video tutoring will be one of the first services available on the educational network, and Halwa has said that the company will offer scholarships to local students as well. “(I’m offering) $5,000, $3,000 and $2,000 a year for the next three years to the kids who can find the most bandwidth-intensive applications to run on our network,” he said. The Columbia Valley may see added benefits for its shadow population, primarily made up of Calgarians who own second homes in the region. With the superior connectivity offered by the fibre network, more knowledge-based workers may choose to telecommute. “The normal person in Calgary, when they come to their vacation home, will have better connection than they do in their office,” said Halwa. “They may find themselves more productive in this kind of environment.” Attracting lifestyle migrants In fact, the network is already attracting new residents. Halwa has been receiving calls from people who were looking to combine a rural, mountain lifestyle with first-class communication capabilities, and Radium Hot Springs was the only municipality that offered the very best of both worlds. That speaks highly for the community and the network. Deck believes the village as a whole will benefit from the projected influx. “We can bring in a whole new segment of the population: young families,” he said. “We’ve had tons of growth, but we’ve had to close our school and it’s hard to put together a little league team because all of that growth was in an older demographic. We want to get that demographic filled out again. And there’s no better group than the 25- to 45-year-old knowledge worker.” FAVOURING FIBRE Fibre connectivity is far superior to other forms of connection: GREATER CONNECTIVITY :: Fibre delivers high-speed, bi-directional transmission of digital information—up to 75 per cent faster than DSL and faster than 90 per cent of current connections worldwide—of telecommunication services including Internet, TV and telephone. Because all services are delivered using the same fibre, the cost of service is also reduced. ENVIRONMENTALLY FRIENDLY :: The speed of connectivity makes telecommuting and video conferencing more effective and hassle-free than ever. As B.C. moves towards decreasing its carbon footprint, more businesses will be rewarded for lowering emissions in their operations, and reducing work-related travel will help in that regard. INCREASED PROPERTY VALUE :: “On average, a home with a fibre optic connection in the United States is worth between $3,800 and $4,500 more than the identical condominium that doesn’t have it,” said Halwa. INCREASED SECURITY :: Because service is not shared—each home or business has an individual fibre connection—not only is speed enhanced, but transferring electronic data is also safer. Educational and medical institutions, law enforcement and government agencies benefit from enhanced data encryption already. story and photo by Tanya Laing http://www.investkootenay.com/news.php?id=20 http://www.investkootenay.com/news.php?id=20 Mon, 17 Nov 2008 14:40:12 -0800 Castlegar Toyota’s new building of glass, wood and steel is bright, spacious and open. Dealer principal Craig Kalawsky anticipates that his employees and customers will be thrilled with it. Kalawsky worked with Fairbank Architects in Nelson to come up with the design. “I think it reflects our open skies,” he said. “We have a lot of glass and wood and steel to reflect the openness, the water and the forest.” Kalawsky is also pleased about the expanded space in the new facility. “It’s three times the size of what we are currently in,” said Kalawsky. “So right off the bat, having a bigger facility is going to give us better display.” As well, the 10-bay shop will be two times larger than the previous shop. “The nice thing about that is we’re going to have more capacity,” said Kalawsky, “and the wait time for customers to get in will be significantly reduced.” Located on Columbia Avenue in Castlegar, the new building boasts many environmentally friendly features, such as an auto-dimming showroom that responds to outside light, low-wattage lighting, a computer-controlled heating and cooling system and a shop heated with used oil from cars. Worksafe BC Advertisement “My goal is to be the first carbon-neutral dealership in B.C.,” said Kalawsky. Kalawsky plans to have a carbon-neutral consultant assess the finished structure to determine what else can be done to ultimately make it carbon-neutral. Another exciting feature of the new dealership is the service drive-thru. Unique to the West Kootenay, the drive-thru will allow customers to pull their car right up inside the shop. “Our service personnel will greet them right at their car,” said Kalawsky. “It’s going to make for a lot better experience for the customers. They’ll be out of the weather . . . and can point out right on their car what concerns they have.” Kalawsky said that, overall, construction has gone well. The building is very close to being completed and the grand opening is anticipated to be in October. “I was quite impressed with how everything, all of these separate entities, got organized and worked together to get it done,” said Kalawsky. And Kalawsky is excited about being in the new space. “We want the experience for customers and for our employees, as well, to be better,” he said. “In our smaller, older facility we were in, we were limited on the type of service we could provide. With the new place, we’re not limited.” Kalawsky appreciates his staff and feels that having them and a new building is a winning combination. “We have a really good group of staff here,” he said. “We all focus on taking care of customers, and with that kind of motto, people come back. “I believe that we are showing a commitment to the area and that we will be here for the long term and that we want to be. The Kootenays is a great place to be.” story by: Jody Mendenhall photo by: Andrew Zwicker http://www.investkootenay.com/news.php?id=22 http://www.investkootenay.com/news.php?id=22 Sun, 17 Aug 2008 14:41:08 -0800 A $1-billion expansion won't change Fairmont's character. If there is one message that Richard Haworth, vice-president of development at Fairmont Hot Springs Resort, and Harrison McKay, the resort’s marketing manager, want people to hear, it’s that the beloved vacation and wellness destination will retain its family-friendly atmosphere and quiet character—even as it grows, develops and takes a lead in creating a cohesive community in the village. Haworth said the resort has undergone several subtle changes since a change of ownership in September of 2006, when Ken Fowler Enterprises (KFE) took over the operation of Fairmont Hot Springs Resort. There are several existing upgrades to the amenities as well as plans for the expansion of the ski resort and reconstruction of the public hot pools that will better reflect the natural Rocky Mountain backdrop that is such a great part of their appeal. But the big news is the $1 billion development plans that will see the resort become the centrepiece of a cohesive, year-round village. The long-range project is an exercise in building a community rather than a single development, and it’s one that is taken seriously by Haworth, McKay and the team at Fairmont Hot Springs Resort. The extensive plans include a market square with a variety of shopping and dining choices, a community centre and cultural village, a range of accommodations and an extensive network of recreational trails that will tie it all together. Currently, Fairmont Hot Springs Resort is offering 56 custom homesites for sale as part of the expansion of the resort, and the lots are garnering interest from people who have been visiting the area for years—and sometimes for generations. In fact, it’s the generational appeal that seems to be one of the greatest selling features. Many interested buyers have been travelling to the valley with their families since they themselves were children, and more are looking at it as a place to live year round. The long-range vision is a concept that will create a destination that will continue to attract the next generation of homeowners and visitors, said Haworth. “Our land base is such that we have to have a bigger vision of what it can be,” he said. “One of the differences with the resort is that—unlike some projects where it’s more of a land play to get in and get out—our vision and our goal is to operate the resort when we’re done. We want to be here and we want to be part of it for the long term, so we’re taking a longer term approach to looking at it. So let’s make sure we get it right because we’re going to live with it forever.” Haworth said the project has brought together consultants to pool ideas and concepts from resorts around the world to create a vision that is unique in terms of implementation and location. “I think one of the things that is really exciting is that it is the heart of the Fairmont community,” said McKay. “We’re playing a key role in working with the community to decide what we want it to be, so everything about this is so well thought out.” The slowing investment real estate market doesn’t concern Haworth, who said families have always been the primary market. “In some ways it’s great for the resort,” said Haworth. “A real community doesn’t form on investment buyers; it forms on people who want to buy and be there and that’s what we’re seeing now.” “People have been coming here a long time,” said McKay. “They love it the way it is. I want (those people) to know that it’s just more of a really good thing.” story and photo by Tanya Laing http://www.investkootenay.com/news.php?id=23 http://www.investkootenay.com/news.php?id=23 Fri, 08 Aug 2008 14:50:30 -0800 Fernie may be the site of a new underground coal mine. Rio Tinto is looking to expand its interests into the profitable Crowsnest Coalfield and add to its metallurgical coal base. Steve Hovis is a senior project geologist with Kennecott Exploration Inc.—an exploration group owned by Rio Tinto—who spoke at length about the potential for a new underground coal mine in the Elk Valley. While open-pit mines are more common in the Elk Valley, Rio Tinto opted to switch to an underground model as a means of expanding its possibilities. As Hovis explained, in most cases a surface mine is preferable to an underground mine for economic purposes; however, in order to create a sustainable operation, Rio Tinto chose to go below the surface. The Crowsnest Coalfield just east of Fernie is the target of the initial drilling project. The area has many of the same sequence of coal seams that are being mined by Elk Valley Coal Corporation. “There’s a lot of coal sitting there,” said Hovis. “And the question is, can it be mined—economically and safely?” Rio Tinto is willing to explore further to see if the answer is yes. Two drill holes are planned for the immediate future to determine the feasibility of establishing a mine. If the results are positive, Rio Tinto will move forward with establishing a longwall mine. A longwall mine utilizes an underground coal mining technique where a long wall of coal is mined in a slice a few metres thick and several hundred metres wide. Longwall mining can provide better resource recovery—80 per cent compared to 60 per cent for room-and-pillar mining—as well as providing a safer underground working environment for the miners. The initial start up costs for a longwall mining operation are understandably high, which is one of the reasons why Rio Tinto is investigating the possibilities thoroughly. There are many other technical issues to consider once the results from the initial drill testing are completed. The geological structure of the area includes several faults and folds that could hamper the effectiveness of the longwall mine; a change of several degrees of elevation in a seam can greatly increase the costs of the operation. Surface subsidence is also common with longwall mining, which can alter the landscape above the mine, though Hovis expects the impact will be minimal. Whether such occurrences can be anticipated before the operation begins is one of the questions that needs to be answered, said Hovis, but advanced imaging capabilities will aid in providing those answers. story by: Tanya Laing photo by: Steve Hovis http://www.investkootenay.com/news.php?id=18 http://www.investkootenay.com/news.php?id=18 Thu, 17 Apr 2008 16:29:43 -0800 Delta Airlines and FLY YXC Strike a Deal The most recent Cranbrook & District Chamber of Commerce luncheon, held at the College of the Rockies (COTR) in conjunction with the 2008 Business Expo & Career Fair, included a featured presentation from members of FLY Canadian Rockies International (YXC). John Sheehan and Kent Myers spoke on behalf of FLY YXC in a bid to raise awareness and pledges for the airport expansion. Myers is the president and a managing partner of Airplanners, a company that specializes in matching airports in smaller centres to brand-name airlines as well as planning, developing and supporting service to those airports. According to Sheehan, Myers was instrumental in creating the connection between YXC and Delta Airlines, the major U.S. carrier that will be servicing the area. In the presentation, Myers explained that Delta would provide three flights a week during the peak tourist seasons between Cranbrook and Salt Lake City, Utah. Salt Lake City's geographical location figured heavily in the airline and hub considerations. Over 63 million travellers a year use Salt Lake City as hub for U.S. destinations, making it attractive to resort developments in the region trying to woo tourists to the area. And as it is located almost directly south of Cranbrook, it is ideal for eastern or western American travellers. "The greatest impact is that you get a brand name U.S. carrier," said Myers. "It's very prestigious for the community and the region. Number two is with one stop, with one flight, you can touch 63 million people who are going to ride on the same aircraft with a one-stop into the region. It just changes the whole paradigm of access." Part of the deal with Delta includes a guaranteed annual net revenue of $784,000. FLY YXC has already invested close to $800,000 but is seeking matching pledges from local businesses and community members as a show of faith in the project. As Myers pointed out, an investment in the airport translates into a feeling of ownership in the project and in the success of tourism in the region. For more information or to download a pledge form, see http://flyyxc.com. by Tanya Laing Moore http://www.investkootenay.com/news.php?id=8 http://www.investkootenay.com/news.php?id=8 Sat, 29 Mar 2008 10:31:08 -0800 A Nelson firefighter has developed a novel product that could soon be part of standard procedure for emergency services across North America. Check-Out Bag, a brightly coloured bag emblazoned with a large checkmark, lets people know that emergency services have already dealt with an accident scene, solving a problem that has long been plaguing police and fire units. ?We would get called back to the same scene by well-meaning members of the public who were unaware that we had already dealt with it,? said inventor Dan Markin, who learned of the issue first hand as a longtime volunteer with the Beasley Fire Department. Neither flagging tape nor traffic cones had proven effective in communicating that a situation had already been looked after by emergency services. Markin carefully designed the Check-Out Bag to resemble a traffic sign, making it both highly visible and authoritative, while using a symbol that is recognized around the globe. ?Even if you are going by in a vehicle at a brisk pace, you can identify the checkmark and realize that the accident scene has been checked,? he said. Check-Out Bag made its debut this past October at two dozen emergency services and four RCMP detachments around the West Kootenay, with great success. ?Since the bags have been put into service, we have not had a single callback, and I have not had a report of any callbacks from any of the (fire) halls that are using them,? he said. Public response to the product has also been favourable as it eliminates confusion when passing by an accident. ?The public in general have told me that they appreciate seeing it out there because it does take the ambiguity out of it,? said Markin. ?When you see the checkmark, you know that it?s been dealt with. If you don?t see it, then you know that it?s a good idea to make the call to get something happening.? The potential market expansion for Check-Out Bag, to which Markin owns the trademark and copyright, is huge. There is no other such product being sold to emergency services, and its possible uses go beyond roadside accidents. ?As far as the type of emergency, it?s not limited to vehicles because it is designed to be hung over top of mailboxes, signposts, street markings?or pretty much anywhere?to identify areas where emergency services have checked a location,? said Markin. Disaster evacuations and missing person searches are two crises where Markin particularly sees a benefit to using the Check-Out Bag. While the product looks deceptively simple, Markin in fact put careful thought into the design. The Check-Out Bag is reversible and, should rescuers be unable to find a post on which to display the checkmark, it can be turned around and filled with snow or some other weighty material to exhibit the checkmark. Because the Check-Out Bag is biodegradable, crews will not have to worry about retrieving the bags; they will simply disintegrate in about six months. Emergency departments interested in testing out the product can contact Markin through his website: www.checkoutbag.ca. http://www.investkootenay.com/news.php?id=13 http://www.investkootenay.com/news.php?id=13 Sat, 15 Mar 2008 10:12:47 -0800 Helicopters, cats, high-speed lifts and North America's longest skiable vertical?Revelstoke Mountain has it all. Revelstoke Mountain Resort announced on May 1 that it becomes the official owner of Selkirk Tangiers Heli Skiing, opening up 500,000 acres of skiable terrain. A $6 million agreement to purchase signed in January has been completed. With the recent acquisition of CAT Powder Skiing and now ownership of locally-renowned Selkirk Tangiers?Revelstoke Mountain Resort joins the ranks of world class one-stop destinations for skiers from around the world. ?You can literally get up in the morning and have the world?s greatest adventure playground at your doorstep, with helicopter, snow cat and lift skiing all accessible from the village,? said resort developer Don Simpson, chairman of Denver-based Simpson Property Group Canada. In January, Simpson announced the signing of a $22 million gondola and high speed quad chairlift contract with Leitner Poma Canada Inc. that will make Revelstoke Mountain Resort North America?s longest skiable vertical at 1,829 metres (6,000 feet). Lift construction and installation began last month so that the first eight-person gondola and high-speed quad chairlift will be operational for the next ski season. ?Revelstoke has been my favorite place to ski,? Simpson said. ?This is the epicentre of world class helicopter and snow cat skiing, a one-of-a-kind resort.? Peter Schlunegger, the previous owner/operator of Selkirk Tangiers, said his team of expert guides and professionals will remain with the company and he will assist Revelstoke Mountain Resort through the transition and pass on his 30 years of experience of the heli-skiing operation. Located just minutes away from downtown historical Revelstoke (population 8,500) and only hours from international gateway cities such as Vancouver B.C., Kelowna, B.C. and Calgary, AB, Revelstoke has long been a popular local, national and international ski getaway. More than 8,000 heli and cat skiers flock the region annually to enjoy 40 to 60 feet of snow ? the height of a four-storey building ? and superb backcountry terrain. http://www.investkootenay.com/news.php?id=17 http://www.investkootenay.com/news.php?id=17 Tue, 15 Jan 2008 14:25:21 -0800 The health of the powersports industry depends on a variety of factors, including weather and the condition of the local economy. Moreover, to ensure the viability of a business, individual snowmobile, ATV and dirt bike dealers have to constantly stay on top of changing trends. Ryan Tomilin, manager of B&F Sales and Service Ltd. in Grand Forks, knows the importance of recognizing customer demands; his business also faces challenges when it comes to dealing with competition from imported products. ?A lot of this stuff is not very safe,? said Tomilin. ?I?ve looked at some of the kids? ATVs and minibikes, and my kid?s life is worth a lot more than that; it?s very poor-quality stuff.? These products are available for bargain prices at many department stores; however, Tomilin said their parts-supply and service is terrible, but it?s cheap and that?s what people are looking at. In this fast-track industry, another major issue affecting business is advancing technology. ?You have your new technology coming out basically every six months and it?s hard to keep up,? said Tomilin. ?You have to be sending somebody to school several times a year just to keep up on the updates.? He added that while change in technology seems to happen at a fast pace, usually that change is for the betterment of the industry. http://www.investkootenay.com/news.php?id=12 http://www.investkootenay.com/news.php?id=12 Thu, 10 Jan 2008 14:29:17 -0800 When Eagle Plains Resources Ltd. acquired Coyote Creek, a 1,300-hectare property 50 kilometres northeast of Cranbrook, the original intent was to explore for zinc. While no viable zinc was found in the area, a sizable gypsum deposit was discovered, and the company turned its attention to those prospects. Mike Labach, investor relations spokesperson for Eagle Plains, said this is very encouraging for the company. ?An inexpensive exploration program resulted in outlining a sizable gypsum mineralized zone,? said Labach. ?The deposit appears to be fairly high-grade.? Gypsum is an evaporite?a sediment that is left after the evaporation of seawater?and is a mineral used in various industrial materials such as wallboard, fertilizers, soil conditioners and plaster of Paris. It is also a mineral for which exploration costs are relatively inexpensive?especially when compared with the costs of other minerals like gold, zinc, lead or copper?and that is what makes it attractive in terms of mining commerce. The gypsum deposit has attracted the notice of companies looking to explore the claim further. In October of 2006, Eagle Plains announced it had completed an option-to-purchase agreement with CGC Inc., a New Brunswick-registered company. As part of the agreement, CGC Inc. is paying Eagle Plains $30,000 for the right to evaluate the property in terms of gypsum viability. If the results are as significant as expected, CGC Inc. will purchase the property from Eagle Plains?an excellent prospect according to Labach. ?This is a property that was acquired for the cost of staking it,? said Labach. ?We explored it from a zinc perspective, found gypsum, got a major company interested in purchasing it from us and they?re going to pay us to explore it further. If they don?t like it, they?re going to give it back to us after doing a significant exploration program. If they like it, they will buy it from us.? The initial results of the exploration are encouraging, and Labach is fully anticipating the purchase of the claim by CGC Inc. http://www.investkootenay.com/news.php?id=16 http://www.investkootenay.com/news.php?id=16 Sat, 15 Dec 2007 14:29:53 -0800 Growth has become a major factor within the city of Grand Forks. With the increase in residential construction around the city, there has been an influx of people. And more new residents means more businesses have been opening as well. ?Some of these small businesses will be storefronts,? said Wendy McCulloch, general manager for Community Futures Boundary, ?but there are a lot of them that will be home-based.? According to McCulloch, numerous job postings in Grand Forks are advertising for skilled labourers. She believes that with the increase in residential construction, the need for skilled people will continue to rise as well. McCulloch feels this growth is directly linked to the expanding population in the Okanagan. ?Folks are moving out of the Okanagan because they are wanting a different lifestlye,? said McCulloch. ?They are looking for more safety as well. ?I think the growth is good and will be interesting to watch. The people who move to the area and start businesses add a vitality to the economy; it?s an economic driver. Grand Forks really is the service hub for the region.? http://www.investkootenay.com/news.php?id=10 http://www.investkootenay.com/news.php?id=10 Sat, 15 Dec 2007 14:09:19 -0800 Third quarter MLS? real estate transaction statistics echo previous reports of firsts with MLS? dollar volume of sales leading the way. Last year's total figure for the dollar volume of all MLS? unit sales to the end of 2006 was over $842 million?a record year. To the end of September year-to-date, the dollar volume of all MLS? sales recorded by the Kootenay Real Estate Board soared to over $924 million?a new record high! The dollar volume of MLS? sales to the end of September 2007 shows an increase of 79 per cent in comparison to the same period last year. MLS? unit sales year-to-date to the end of September 2007 are showing strong in comparison to last year for the same period, with 2007 showing a 38 per cent increase in MLS? units reported sold. The price of the average residential detached house sold on the Multiple Listing Service? (MLS?) year-to-date to the end September 2007 rose by 29 per cent to $251,986 compared to the amount of $194,715 reported over the same period in 2006 as consumers of real estate continue to show their confidence in Kootenay real estate markets. Kootenay Real Estate Board MLS? statistics year-to-date to the end of September 2007 show residential detached housing listings declining by eight per cent over the same period, in 2006 with MLS? unit sales for detached residential housing showing a healthy increase of 16 per cent over the same reporting period last year. Overall, MLS? listings year-to-date to the end of September 2007 increased seven per cent over listings during the same period in 2006, but overall MLS? unit sales remain very active with a large increase of 38 per cent over amounts reported for the same period in 2006. Land statistics continue to remain strong with year-to-date statistics to the end of September 2007 showing MLS? land sales popular with a 31 per cent increase in number of MLS? units sold and a six per cent increase in numbers of MLS? land listings offered over the same period in 2006. Increases in the MLS? dollar volume of land sales continue to impress with a 51 per cent increase in dollar volume over the first three quarters for the year-to-date ending September 2007. When asked to comment on the end of third quarter MLS? statistics, 2007 Kootenay Real Estate Board president Sharron Billey had this to say: ?Nobody can say that watching real estate in the Kootenays is a dull pastime. The projections for our Kootenay real estate markets were for small increases in unit sales with a more balanced market. What we have seen is some markets achieving balance, and others experiencing anything but. The key message in all of this is real estate markets in the Kootenays remain an attractive place for buyers and sellers of real estate.? When asked what the balance of the year will hold for real estate watchers in the Kootenays, Billey commented: ?The Kootenay Real Estate Board has broken records this year in MLS? Dollar Volume, and with MLS? unit sales figures at 38 per cent ahead of last year due to the number of Kootenay markets excelling, the anecdotal accounts of market productivity are starting to indicate that we are in for a small pause while the markets catch their breath. As we close out the year 2007, the Kootenays may start to move towards that balanced market the experts are predicting.? Major Kootenay markets showing increases in MLS? unit sales to the end of September 2007 in comparison to 2006 are: Castlegar?up four per cent, Cranbrook?up 39 per cent, Elkford?up 66 per cent, Fernie?up 45 per cent, Golden?up 82 per cent, Grand Forks?up 9 per cent, Invermere?up 33 per cent, Kimberley?up 65 per cent, Nakusp?up 140 per cent, Nelson?up 49 per cent, Radium?up 82 per cent, Rossland?up 133 per cent, Sparwood?up 40 per cent, and Trail?up 2 per cent. http://www.investkootenay.com/news.php?id=15 http://www.investkootenay.com/news.php?id=15 Thu, 15 Nov 2007 14:34:18 -0800 Last year the Creston Valley experienced an increase in residential development as three major housing projects got underway. ?Our community has seen an influx of people from Alberta and a lot of baby-boomer retirees,? said Joe Snopek, mayor of Creston. ?I think the increase in residential development is partly a reflection of that trend. We have also had a couple of larger businesses looking at Creston and we could likely see some well-known stores coming to the valley in the future.? Small business has also increased in Creston over the last year?especially home-based businesses. In January alone, the Town of Creston issued 18 new business licences. The Town of Creston is currently in the process of working on a strategic three-year plan for the community. http://www.investkootenay.com/news.php?id=14 http://www.investkootenay.com/news.php?id=14 Thu, 15 Nov 2007 14:08:26 -0800 Rita Crawford, founder of Kootenay Custom Quilting, refers to herself as a sewaholic with an intense passion for sewing. Her mom taught her the skill in her childhood and Crawford remembers this as bonding time. In the early ?90s, Crawford tried her hand at quilting but found it took too much time, so went back to sewing. Then one day in 2004, while living in the Lower Mainland, Crawford watched in horror as her stepson Kristopher was run over by a dumptruck while riding his bike. ?Kristopher?s death was very hard to deal with and our new reality was difficult,? Crawford said. ?It is not in my nature to join a group and share my feelings and grief. Being a seamstress, it was only natural I did more sewing than I had done in a long time.? It was four months later that Crawford was inspired to make a quilt commemorating Kristopher?s life. ?I remember it so clearly,? Crawford said. ?I was walking through the mall and the idea hit me, and I knew this project would help me heal . . . I also made the decision to keep the photo memory quilt a secret and give it to Kristopher?s dad (her fianc?) for Christmas.? Crawford managed to complete the quilt in several months, which provided her with the opportunity and time to come to terms with her loss. ?It was emotional as I went through the photos of Kristopher,? she said. ?I became engulfed in the project and this cleared my mind and was a release of emotion for me.? In May 2005, Crawford and her family moved to Castlegar; not long after, with the help of Community Futures Development Corporation in Nelson, she started up her own photo memory quilt business, Kootenay Custom Quilting. The process of creating a photo quilt entails the use of letter-sized photo fabric. Crawford enlarges and edits the photos on her computer, then feeds the fabric through a computer printer that uses specialized ink. Next, the fabric photos are cut into symmetrical shapes to fit a pattern. Kootenay Custom Quilting creates about 20 quilts per year and has expanded to sewing pillows and encompassing other memory themes such as birth announcements, weddings, birthdays, pets and graduations. Crawford has spent the last year completing an array of designs, but the quilt closest to her heart is still the one she sewed for Kristopher. ?It will always be special to me,? she said, ?but I also see how special each quilt is to each client. I love to see the look of joy on their faces. It is also nice to sew for someone else who has been through a tragic situation. I can relate to how they feel." For more information about Kootenay Custom Quilting go to www.kcquilting.com. http://www.investkootenay.com/news.php?id=11 http://www.investkootenay.com/news.php?id=11 Mon, 15 Oct 2007 13:16:18 -0800 Growth and development are hoped to boost resort?s global image. With the word ?Mountain? back in its name, Red Mountain Resort is moving ahead in anticipation of the upcoming ski season. The resort and development company recently obtained the legal rights to the name Red Mountain Resort?it had been known simply as Red Resort over last few seasons. The name will now be in the forefront of all upcoming marketing plans. With regards to development, work is rapidly proceeding at the base of the resort, with two condominiums under construction for a total of 67 units. Projected completion will be in late spring of 2007. In other resort news, all Red Mountain Resort properties will now be represented by the world-renowned Sotheby?s International Realty Canada. As one of the most trusted names in premium real estate, this partnership is designed to help Red Mountain Resort spread the news all over the globe. For more information on Red Mountain Resort, visit www.redresort.com. http://www.investkootenay.com/news.php?id=5 http://www.investkootenay.com/news.php?id=5 Mon, 09 Jul 2007 10:23:34 -0800 PGA champion Fred Couples is lending his name to the area PGA champion Fred Couples was on hand June 9th at the new Whiskeyjack golf resort development in Sparwood to lend his name to the project and design. Couples spoke of his appreciation for all the region has to offer in terms of scenery and potential for the course. ?This is a great community but not (known for) golf,? said Couples. ?But that?s really not the point. The point is the property and that?s spectacular. I try not to do anything that is not going to be?in my mind?spectacular. This is an area that, when we?re done, will have some unbelievable water features; it will be very playable for the people and it will be absolutely beautiful.? Couples said Whiskeyjack will present something for every level of player; it will be demanding on some shots and easy on others. He also said the weather will provide very lush conditions that will be appreciated by all players. ?When you play it, I think you?ll have a lot of fun,? said Couples. ?Everyone says that, but here, while you?re hitting, you can be looking at the Continental Divide and all these beautiful mountainsides and some great, great views.? Couples said the nearby mine will not detract from the scenery; most of the holes are being designed so as to mask the smokestacks. Couples promised that he would be visiting the course several times during and following the construction of the project. He anticipates returning to the site next in September and is planning other visits to check the progress of the course. Couples was pleased to have his name associated with the project and he joins other prestigious PGA champions-turned-designers who have lent their efforts and names to courses in the southeast Kootenay and nearby Montana; among these celebrities are Gary Player, Nick Faldo, Andy North and Jack Nicklaus. ?Nicklaus and Player?they?re prolific,? he said. ?They do golf courses pretty much all over the place. So when I go into an area (where they have designed courses), that tells me that golf here is needed and I feel great that they?re in the area. My goal is to be known by building good golf courses, and certainly it helps to say there?s a Nicklaus course and a Gary Player course not far from here. ?Hopefully, we?ll be right with them or even better than them.? by TANYA LAING MOORE http://www.investkootenay.com/news.php?id=6 http://www.investkootenay.com/news.php?id=6 Mon, 09 Jul 2007 10:22:40 -0800 British Columbia-based St. Eugene Mining Corporation Ltd. is seeing success in its exploration projects?one target at a time A publicly traded, Vancouver based exploration and development company, St. Eugene has its feet firmly planted in the Kootenays. Six high-priority zinc/silver/lead drill targets were identified in 2006 at the Moyie Project 20 kilometres south of Cranbrook in a historic base metal mining basin that stretches from Idaho?s Coeur d?Alene silver/lead camp to B.C.?s 150-million- ton Sullivan zinc/silver/lead mine. Ore has been continuously produced in this area for over 120 years. From 1900 to 1911, the St. Eugene Mine produced 1.4 million tons of ore grading five per cent zinc, 15 per cent lead and seven ounces of silver per ton from three main ore shoots?Lakeshore, Moyie and St. Eugene. At today?s prices, St. Eugene ore is more valuable per ton than the Sullivan ore, the latter of which at 2006 prices would be valued at US$50 billion. In addition, new mining technology makes the Moyie Project attractive once again. Leading the exploration team is Rolly Trenaman, a professional engineer with 50 years of mining industry experience including the role of manager of the Sullivan Mine. In addition, he has operated the Ptarmigan Gold Mine, Yellowknife and Silvana base metal mine, Sandon. While the opportunity for locating a 150-million-ton deposit like the Sullivan Mine within the Kootenay geological environment cannot be dismissed, statistical analysis would conclude that the chances of finding a number of million-ton ore bodies are in the order of one hundred times better. And, the fact that these could feed into a centralized concentrator complex makes them attractive and valuable prospects, especially at today?s metal prices. We invite you to share in our growth! http://www.investkootenay.com/news.php?id=2 http://www.investkootenay.com/news.php?id=2 Wed, 14 Mar 2007 09:39:28 -0800 A $2 million investment by Louisiana-Pacific (LP) Canada Ltd. in Golden is set to start paying off with benefits so clear you can't see them. The newly installed pollution control system is designed to clean the air in the Golden area, allowing residents to breathe a little easier this winter. LP's Golden production facility recently completed the installation of a new wet electrostatic precipitator, or Wet ESP. The new system employs the latest pollution control technology to virtually eliminate any airborne particulate matter from LP's veneer production plant. The state-of-the-art technology was designed and constructed on site by A.H. Lundberg Systems of Vancouver, B.C., through its subsidiary, Geoenergy. "It is the right thing to do for our valley to improve air quality. The Wet ESP is above the industry standard," Michael Brygger, plant environmental manager for LP, told the Golden Star newspaper. The article, which appeared in the Golden Star on September 20, describes the process as follows: "The Wet ESP takes the air from the dryers and processes it through a quenching system - which relies on water. The water scrubs the air and then uses an electric field to further clean the air, pulling out particles from the air before releasing from the discharge. The final waste removed, consisting of wood oils and tars, will be used as a fuel when mixed with wood and burned in the onsite co-generation boiler." Also part of the project was Airtek Pneumatics of Surrey and Systematic Mill Installations of Kelowna, who were involved in the supply and installation of specialized materials and equipment for the project. Louisiana-Pacific Canada Ltd. is Golden's largest employer, with a workforce of over 450 people. http://www.investkootenay.com/news.php?id=1 http://www.investkootenay.com/news.php?id=1 Wed, 14 Mar 2007 09:35:06 -0800 Revelstoke will soon be home to the world's longest skiable vertical. Progress at Revelstoke Mountain Resort just took a major step forward in January with the announcement that a contract for a $22-million gondola and high-speed quad chairlift was signed with Leitner Poma Canada Inc. Along with the gondola and chairlift contract, the resort announced the signing of purchase agreements for local heli-skiing company Selkirk Tangiers. With the spring acquisition of Selkirk Tangiers, Revelstoke Mountain Resort will become a one-stop destination for lift- , cat- and heli-skiing. The inclusion of the heli-skiing operation will mean the resort will boast over 500,000 acres of skiable terrain. If all goes as planned, the initial phase of lift installations will start in the spring, allowing the first eight-person gondola and high-speed quad chairlift to be operational by the official opening of the resort in fall 2007. One heli of an experience For over 28 years, Peter Schlunegger - the current owner of Selkirk Tangiers - has been guiding people on ski trips in the Monashee and Selkirk mountains around Revelstoke. Now, he is planning on handing over operational duties to one of his guides who has been with him for 23 seasons. "I will be just on a consulting basis for a year or so," said Schlunegger. "All the same people will stay involved: all the guides and all the office people. It's not a huge change as far as that goes." Schlunegger sees the potential amalgamation of Selkirk Tangiers with Revelstoke Mountain Resort as a good way to allow more people the opportunity to try heli-skiing. "I think that it will actually complement the heli-skiing," he said. "The more skiers there are, the more people who might want to take a day heli-skiing. They might come here on vacation and decide short notice to try it." The resort plans to have a heli pad right in the proposed village, so that guests and residents will be able to literally walk out their front door and go on a heli-skiing adventure. "I am sure that it is going to be very quickly well known over North America for the biggest verticals" said Schlunegger. "I think Whistler is not quite 5000 vertical and this is going to be 6000 vertical feet - that's major." Long-term vision The planning of this development has been a long process that Revelstoke mayor Mark McKee thinks has been beneficial. "We've looked at developers, at development plans and we've made adjustments over the years," said McKee. "We've learned from the successes of other resorts and the failures of other resorts. We're going to be able to learn from both those successes and failures and I think that we're all-this whole region-going to benefit from that." McKee also believes that Revelstoke is ready for the changes a $1-billion resort development like this is going to have on the city itself. "I think it's going to be a slow, steady change that the community will evolve into more of a resort community than it has been," said McKee. "We already experience huge numbers of visitors in the summer and our winter tourism is world class. I think the community has already had a taste of resort development, and what we're doing now is we're just taking it to another level." Economic catalyst The multi-phased resort development includes commercial, retail and residential space, with hotels, condominiums, townhomes, single-family lots and a village heli-centre in the plans. Alan Mason, the manager of community economic development for the City of Revelstoke, is beginning to notice a rise in housing prices. "As people come in and buy houses, the housing prices go up and then affordability becomes a big issue," Mason said. "One of the stipulations we made in our deal with the ski hill developers was that 10 per cent of all housing that was built had to be employee housing." Both McKee and Mason stress that the residents of Revelstoke have played a major part in the decision-making process for the resort development. "This project has been on the book for a long time and the community has come out year after year and meeting after meeting with huge support," said McKee. "It's been one of the things that has really given the development community a lot of ease and comfort." Mason added, "Generally the community is 95 per cent behind us. Everyone is ecstatic that the resort has gone ahead." As for the existing businesses in Revelstoke, Mason said they should have little reason to worry. "What we've tried to do is position the local merchants and retailers so that they can take advantage of the resort," said Mason. "We understand there are going to be new businesses coming in, and that is fine, but we think there will also be opportunities for the local retailers to capitalize as well. I think that it will be a huge boost to the local economy." http://www.investkootenay.com/news.php?id=4 http://www.investkootenay.com/news.php?id=4 Sat, 03 Mar 2007 11:55:25 -0800 Over the last few years the city of Castlegar has begun to develop into more of a regional commercial centre. And although the community still depends quite heavily on industry, there have been significant steps taken to branch out in terms of its economy. "We have traditionally relied on our industry - especially the softwood lumber and pulp and paper industries - to define our economy," said Shannon Marshall, planning technician for the City of Castlegar. "But over the last little while we have seen an increase in business and services, which have helped steer Castlegar in a number of directions." A couple of these important service facilities are the Castlegar Regional Airport and Selkirk College, which continues to grow and offer students more and more educational opportunities. Because Highways 3, 3A and 22 put Castlegar at the regional centre with Trail, Nelson, the Slocan Valley and Grand Forks, the city hopes to become a hub for commercial, social, recreational and cultural activities, explained Marshall. "We want to see all kinds of development in our future and we feel we have an ideal community to accommodate it," he said. "We are looking forward to welcoming many new businesses and faces to our community."