THE MAGAZINE FOR GROWING COMPANIES AND COMMUNITIES
Waneta Expansion: sealing a billion dollar deal Kalesnikoff project reaches critical mass Greg Malpass brings Traction on Demand to Nelson 1
West Kootenay-Boundary FORWARD | 2019
FREE 2019
DID YOU KNOW
Home goods has been around since 1950. What was once a small furniture store in Trail is now the largest furniture, appliance, mattress, and home decor store in the interior of BC…..And it is still owned by the same family. When I ask someone what is Home Goods Furniture they respond that it is a very large furniture store. We also have a wonderful selection of home decor items as well as we are home to the largest selection of WHIRLPOOL, MAYTAG, and KITCHENAID APPLIANCES…..Not to mention we have probably sold more beds to Kootenay customers then anyone else. Brand names like LA-Z-BOY, STYLUS, RIVERSIDE, SPRINGWALL, SIMMONS, KITCHENAID, MAYTAG, and many others can be seen in our 35,000 square foot showroom. Our buyers shop national and international markets let you bring home the regular and the “OUT OF THIS WORLD” items. Our giant warehouse combined with our many years in the business make us more then competitive with anyone. If you haven’t been to Home Goods in awhile you should really stop by for a look. We are constantly changing our floor displays as well as upgrading our look……And if nothing else you can enjoy a complimentary restaurant quality Latte or Americano while you browse. GOOD PEOPLE, GREAT SERVICE, AND THE BEST PRICES…..If you would like to shop at a business that has supported countless local organizations over the past 69 years….And you want to feel confident in your “AFTER SALES SERVICE” then Home Goods Furniture is your place to shop for FURNITURE, APPLIANCES, MATTRESS, AND HOME DECOR. We are located at 1790 Home Goods Road In Genelle…..1/2 way between Trail and Castlegar. See you soon!
Home Goods Furniture
A family business serving Kootenay families since 1950 Located Halfway Between Trail & Castlegar, 1790 HomeGoods Road, Genelle BC Monday to Saturday 9:30 am to 5:30 pm | Sunday 11:00 am to 4:00 pm Tel: 693-2227 Genelle 1-877-693-2227
Come see our new working KitchenAid kitchen designed by JMK Kitchens
www.homegoodsfurniture.com 2
West Kootenay-Boundary FORWARD | 2019
2010 KOOTENAY
BUSINESS
2010 KOOTENAY
BUSINESS Best of Business
AWARDS
AWARDS
Appliances
Furniture
Best of Business
GOLD
PLATINUM
The future looks bright in the Kootenay/Boundary Kalesnikoff Lumber branches out • By Betsy Kline • Page 4
A billion-dollar deal • By Valerie Rossi • Page 10
Teck talk
• By Valerie Rossi • Page 12
The best boss in Canada brings his talent home • By Jake Sherman • Page 14
Seeing the forest for the trees • By Emily Kemp • Page 16
Right up our alley • By Valerie Rossi • Page 18
Putting trust in the region • By Emily Kemp • Page 21
Messages from local leaders • Pages 6-9, 20, 23
Publisher: Eric Lawson Editor:
Greg Nesteroff
Graphic Designer: Sandy Leonard
Katelyn Hurley
Advertising Sales: Adam Mandseth Marc-Andre Hamelin Dave Dykstra
Lonnie Inglehart Chris Hammett
Cover photo: The Waneta Expansion Generation Station was designed and built between 2010 and 2015 at a cost of $900 million. It has a capacity of 332 megawatts. Courtesy Columbia Basin Trust Forward is published annually by Black Press Media.
publisher@nelsonstar.com 91 Baker St. Nelson BC V1L 4C8 250-352-1890 This material, written or artistic, may not be reprinted or electronically reproduced in any way without the written consent of the publisher. The opinions and statements in articles, columns and advertising are not necessarily those of the publisher or staff of Black Press. It is agreed by any display advertiser requesting space that the owner’s responsibility, if any, for errors or omissions of any kind, is limited to the amount paid by the advertiser for that portion of the space as occupied by the incorrect item and there shall be no liability in any event greater than the amount paid for the advertisement.
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Jennifer Wetmore
Tom Thomson
Terry Van Horn
BY Kristen Lawson
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any communities across the Kootenay/Boundary face the same economic challenges, yet each is coming up with their own custom solutions. One of the biggest challenges facing BC communities is the lack of housing options. While Nelson expects its population to grow three to four per cent in the next few years, Castlegar is expecting to have an 18 per cent increase by 2029. Rossland has partnered with the Columbia Basin Trust, the province and the Economic Development Fund to create a multi-purpose, multi-use housing facility to support affordable housing and economic growth. Nelson has multiple housing projects in the works, including several 30-plus unit buildings designed with affordability in mind. A 125-unit seniors assisted living care facility has also received conditional approval. Under the Railtown community strategic plan, the Nelson and District Chamber of Commerce will develop seven acres of land into work-live style structures, with businesses at street level plus several apartments or condos on the upper floors. Tom Thomson, executive director of the chamber, stressed the value of new builds and renovation projects: “The tradespeople are busy being employed and the building supplies stores are extremely busy with work right now.” The Nelson chamber is also concerned about the transition of cannabis from an illegal market to a legal one. According to Thomson, “The Kootenay region has been known to produce some of the world’s best marijuana over the last 40 years.” Cannabis has played a role in supporting the local economy despite being illicit, he says. The chamber is advocating for a smooth transition for growers, worrying that making it difficult for them to get licensed and operating legally could cause an economic downturn. Everyone agrees the key to economic success in the Kootenay/Boundary is a collaborative approach. Terry Van Horn of the Lower Columbia Initiatives Corporation explained the need for a more circular economy. “We’re taking waste streams from existing businesses and instead of shipping them out of our region, we’re creating small businesses and helping them to grow and commercialize them to be successful. All of a sudden, you’ve got this whole cluster of companies that have been treating the circular
Tammy Verigin-Burk
economy within.” The LCIC has created a new brand for the Trail region called Metal Tech Alley. Over the last two years this strategy has brought in nine companies, 19 new jobs and over $5 million in new investments. Next the LCIC wants to unite all local businesses under the Metal Tech Alley banner so they can advertise the benefits of the region together. They say a boom in the metallurgy sector means more families settling in the region, so every business benefits. The Castlegar and District Chamber of Commerce, meanwhile, is looking at gaps in products and services provided. They will target companies and entrepreneurs who will fill those gaps and ensure the community has all the amenities and services it needs. “What’s really important is that we have a lot of activities for families and that people are being taken care of from the social aspect,” says executive director Tammy Verigin-Burk. The chamber has plans for a new building that will house them, Destination Castlegar, Community Futures and a new tech hub. Working together, these organizations will provide access to training, funding, promotion and resources such as high speed internet and work spaces for small businesses and entrepreneurs. The biggest challenge in Boundary is the task of rebuilding after the 2018 floods. Community economic development manager Jennifer Wetmore foresees short-term losses but is optimistic they can “build back better” with enough funding from the province. They are also encouraging the rest of the region to visit and spend their time and money at local businesses. Community Futures Boundary will conduct a feasibility study for a Grand Forks Community Centre project, which will be completed by the Regional District of Kootenay Boundary and the City of Grand Forks. Together they are also kickstarting an economic development strategy, committee and officer project to provide clear direction for the local economy. Overall the economic outlook for the Kootenay/Boundary seems positive. Jobs and businesses are being created, as well as homes workers can afford. If the collaboration and circular economies initiatives can attract and retain businesses as expected the region can look forward to economic stability and growth over the next decade. West Kootenay-Boundary FORWARD | 2019
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Kalesnikoff Lumber branches out Mass timber facility at South Slocan will produce new value-added products BY Betsy Kline
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West Kootenay-Boundary FORWARD | 2019
Inset: Krystle Seed and Chris Kalesnikoff at the construction site of the new mass timber facility in South Slocan. Photos: Betsy Kline
Construction is well underway for Kalesnikoff Lumber’s mass timber facility. Photo: Betsy Kline
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alesnikoff Lumber of Thrums decided to celebrate the company’s 80th birthday in a big way — by investing $35 million in a new mass timber manufacturing facility and hiring 50 new employees. The 110,000 square foot facility will be located next to the company’s existing Kootenay Innovative Wood facility in South Slocan. Mass timber is large pre-fabricated engineered wood building products. The Kalesnikoff facility will produce glulam beams, which are laminated structural lumber and cross-laminated timber, essentially large engineered wood panels. The facility will be able to produce pieces up to 60 feet long. After more than five years of research and planning, the company decided the time was right for the expansion. Chris Kalesnikoff and Krystle Seed — the fourth generation of Kalesnikoffs to run the business — knew that succeeding in current and future markets would mean finding a way to expand the products the company offers without increasing their timber supply. The new plant will introduce a new value-added element to the lumber the company currently harvests. “Remaining just a single sawmill entity in British Columbia with the number of closures and consolidations that continue to happen is not necessarily a realistic future or expectation for us,” said Kalesnikoff, who is
the company’s chief operating officer. “For us to succeed in our generation and to pass it on to the next, we knew we had to continue to grow.” Because the company already focused on specialized products, mass timber seemed to be a natural progression. The research Kalesnikoff did into the market also showed an ever-growing European demand for mass timber products and a North American market about ready to take off. Kalesnikoff foresaw building code changes for Canada in the coming years and the company decided they wanted to be ready to supply the demand for the specialized timber products when that happened. It was pure coincidence that BC Premier John Horgan announced some of those anticipated building code changes the same week Kalesnikoff announced the construction of their new plant. There are fewer than a dozen mass timber production facilities in North America. When the Kalesnikoff project is complete, it will be a leading-edge facility. “It is exciting for this area — it is going to be pretty unique — and it is going to put Castlegar and Nelson on the map as far as having some of the best technology for this type of manufacturing,” said Seed, the company’s chief financial officer. “It is definitely going to be the most technologically
advanced plant in North America, and it will complete globally,” added Kalesnikoff. The plant will enable the company to further integrate its processes all the way from standing timber to final product, saving time, reducing transportation and controlling costs. The new building is massive. It consists of two sections — the main manufacturing section is one long rectangle that is 120 feet (40 meters) by 650 feet (200 meters) and the section that will be used for product finishing is 80 feet (24 meters) by about 350 feet (105 meters). The large panels the facility will produce can be designed and sized to exactly the specifications a builder wants, anything from fancy designs clear down to cutouts for lights or conduits. The products will primarily be used in large multi-family or commercial buildings, most likely in urban and high-density areas on projects where construction efficiencies really pay off. Construction of the building is expected to be complete by the end of the summer. Delivery of the first set of specialty manufacturing equipment is scheduled for October and the first beam and finger joint products are expected to roll off the line by the end of the year. The equipment for the cross laminated timber line is expected in June 2020 with production in full swing by the end of 2020. West Kootenay-Boundary FORWARD | 2019
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Kootenay– Columbia MP Wayne Stetski
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t’s an honour to represent the hard-working people of Kootenay-Columbia and I see several economic development opportunities in the riding. First and foremost, our beautiful natural landscapes lend themselves well to the further expansion of our tourism and recreation sectors, though we must also take care to protect our wildlife and wild spaces. Agriculture, including the newly regulated cannabis industry, offers promise for our region, while the expanding technology sector in the West Kootenays is cause for celebration. Resource extraction and refinement continue to be important economic drivers, of course, but small business and entrepreneurial activity will be essential to our future survival. We face a few challenges, too: an upgraded airport in Castlegar would certainly increase business opportunities, as would a more robust public transit system. Lack of affordable housing and child care are also major concerns. Continuing my support for small businesses is an important priority for me and I encourage constituents to stay in touch.
Regional District of Kootenay Boundary Chair Roly Russell
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itcoin and weed, Metal Tech Alley and ecotourism: economic development in the Regional District of Kootenay Boundary isn’t what it used to be! As a structure built for collaboration among local governments, the RDKB supports economic development in the Greater Trail region (Lower Columbia), Christina Lake, and across the Boundary region all the way to Big White. Resource industry (mining, agriculture, forestry) has been a keystone of our regional development for decades, and provides the consistent core to our economic development engine. Concurrently, the small and micro-scale businesses in our region are changing the face of our economy, and are integral to providing a rural economy resilient to vagaries of global markets. Hundreds of these businesses collectively deliver significant (though difficult to quantify) economic returns and weave the fabric of our culture and nature in rural BC. Supporting our traditional industry while nurturing cluster development of small enterprise is a key challenge ahead for our economic development operations. 6 West Kootenay-Boundary FORWARD 6 West Kootenay-Boundary FORWARD | 2019| 2019
South Okanagan– West Kootenay MP Richard Cannings
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he economic outlook for the Kootenay-Boundary is looking very positive these days on so many fronts. In this age of working in the cloud, many entrepreneurs are taking advantage of our beautiful environment, outdoor recreational opportunities and relatively low housing costs to work from home or from offices in small communities. The key for governments at all levels is to ensure that these workers have the business environment they need, including broadband internet service, reliable transportation and good services for young families. Even the natural resources sector, the traditional economic backbone of the region, is adapting to new realities. Local forestry companies are creating a diverse list of new products destined for new markets that will keep the sector vibrant for decades to come. I salute all the innovative businesses of the Kootenay-Boundary that make this such a wonderful part of the world in which to work and play!
Regional District of Central Kootenay Chair Aimee Watson
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he Regional District of Central Kootenay serves the needs of residents and businesses who call our many diverse communities home. As a board and through commissions, we work hard to make a difference — especially when it comes to strengthening the economy. Regional services support and benefit economic development in municipalities and rural areas in several ways. Our efforts to address climate change and our support for the growing transition economy means business opportunities for innovative entrepreneurs. The work we do to enhance recreation, parks and trails helps to stimulate tourism across the region. We are collaborating with partners to reduce the risk and impact of wildfire in order to safeguard lives and livelihoods. In addition, we strive to engage with the business community and implement policies that support the growth, particularly in rural settings. We are proud to serve our communities and help them thrive.
Boundary Similkameen MLA Linda Larson
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he Boundary is as diverse as the people who live here. Traditional jobs in forestry are still the backbone of the Boundary from Rock Creek to Christina Lake, but those forestry jobs have changed in their scope from just traditional logging to community forests in Midway, partnerships with First Nations, woodlots and value
added product. Mining, which has seen more than 100 years of history is also experiencing a comeback in the Greenwood area. Grand Forks experienced devastating floods in 2018 but is recovering and working hard to revitalize and rebrand their community as a great place for entrepreneurs and young families. And tourists from all over, especially our eastern neighbours, have come to the Boundary to enjoy the unique recreational opportunities offered from Christina Lake to Big White. Come and enjoy Boundary Country.
Nelson-Creston MLA Michelle Mungall
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here are so many exciting initiatives going on here in the Kootenays. From the booming tech sector to the exciting initiatives coming out of the arts community, it is truly difficult to pick just one. When pressed, I think the most impactful initiative has to be the historic number of new affordable housing units being built in Nelson and right across BC. Just last month we broke ground on 43 new affordable housing units in Nelson at the corner of Hall and Front Street. These homes are part of the 114,000 affordable homes that our government is delivering over the next 10 years. Because everyone needs a home, but too many struggle to find safe, reliable and affordable housing, this project and this ten year goal for housing will have one of the greatest impacts on our region. Once someone has safe housing, just think of what they can achieve.
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West Kootenay-Boundary FORWARD | 2019
Kootenay West MLA Katrine Conroy
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hat an optimistic time for the West Kootenay/Boundary economy! This year we have seen a tremendous leap in local business, driven by creative entrepreneurs and organizers. That adventurous Kootenay spirit is paying off as we see more businesses investing in our area and new ideas applied to the conventional industries that built our region. Collaboration between organizations and communities has also made a big difference. As a sprawling region of separate communities, working together only makes us stronger. I hope to see more of that. Our government is also contributing. For example, we invested $5.8 million to expand rural broadband, and over $1 million in rural development grants to nine different organizations in a variety of sectors. The upgrades at Kootenay Boundary Regional Hospital ($23.3 million) and the purchase of the Waneta Dam are both helping to build a stronger local economy. It’s really exciting to see such growth, and I hope you share my share enthusiasm!
City of Castlegar Mayor Bruno Tassone
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astlegar is certainly a hidden gem within the Kootenays and holds true to its West Coast roots. With beautiful fresh water lakes, lush green hiking trails and outdoor opportunities for all types of sports enthusiasts, our strong little community offers so much. Castlegar truly has such a diverse range of opportunities and amenities for businesses, families, education, and tourism. We are proud of the multicultural town we have always been and celebrate our strong diverse community. As with any community, Castlegar is always looking to create opportunities for citizens to thrive within their businesses, education, recreational activities and health care. Future projects that council is working towards are Phase 2 of the Columbia Avenue redevelopment and expansion of the community complex. Both projects are grant dependant. Developing the airport lands, and working towards making the West Kootenay Regional Airport more reliable will increase economic viability.
West Kootenay-Boundary FORWARD | 2019 7
Village of Fruitvale Mayor Steve Morissette
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ruitvale is a vibrant community of 2,100 residents plus another 2,000 in the surrounding area. We have a full K-7 elementary school, several doctors, dentists, pharmacy, physio and massage therapists, a veterinarian, a beautiful large community hall with a commercial kitchen and a thriving seniors program with monthly lunches along with a host of health/ wellness, education, and social events. Fruitvale recently had three new businesses open: a beautiful art themed coffee shop, a Mexican restaurant, and an autobody shop. The Village of Fruitvale has acquired a derelict middle school building and land in a prime flat location. We are working together with multiple partners to demolish the school and develop the land into multi-use housing with a daycare facility to support the area’s variety of housing needs from family homes to downsizing seniors. We expect this to support growing employment in our local Atco Wood Products and Metal Tech Alley. We invite everyone to come visit our village and see what we have to offer.
City of Greenwood Mayor Ed Smith
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reenwood is the smallest city in Canada and a proud winner of the Best Municipal Water in the World award in 2012. The city is a hub of activity. Staff are getting ready to open the pool. The Art Club has painted street murals that are ready to be installed. The Board of Trade is planning Founder’s Day for July. The ATV BC AGM will be held in Greenwood this year. This
is all very exciting. From the flood two years ago causing the breakdown of Greenwood Street, repairs are completed, and what is left is planting of trees and installing benches, etc. Other highlights are the new study and work starting for flood mitigation, plans for the campground, A playground, and a senior care home. The statue of the miner at the assay building site has been a draw for tourists. There are currently three electric charging stations for electric cars in Greenwood: two slow charging stations at the museum and a fast charging station across from the museum. There has been an increase in use and a second fast charging station is expected to be installed this year. These are exciting times for residents, tourists and visitors to Greenwood. 8 West Kootenay-Boundary FORWARD 8 West Kootenay-Boundary FORWARD | 2019| 2019
City of Grand Forks Mayor Brian Taylor
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rand Forks has been steadily recovering from the disastrous flooding a year ago. While progress started slowly, the city saw construction valued at over $9 million last year, and is very nearly double that already in 2019. There are still some businesses closed following the floods, and others are operating in temporary locations, but every month there are more success stories as businesses re-open and get back closer to normal. Developer interest in the area remains high, with some interesting light industrial prospects in the works. We have several public and private housing developments underway in the region, including small-scale housing developments from different developers. Local business has also seen increased investment coming in from outside the community.
Village of Kaslo Mayor Suzan Hewat
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ouncil and staff at the Village of Kaslo welcomed our new CAO Ian Dunlop on April 9. He has been kept busy since his arrival with budgets and projects. Work has begun on the expansion of the sewer system which includes 60 properties, 27 of which have chosen to connect at this time. At its annual conference in Nanaimo, Heritage BC awarded the Village of Kaslo an Outstanding Achievement award in heritage conservation for the restoration work done on City Hall and the Kootenay Lake Historical Society recognition for their fire suppression system replacement project. We recently received a rural dividend grant for survey work at the aerodrome as well as for planning work in Kaslo Bay. The Kaslo and Area D Economic Development Commission also received a long-awaited rural dividend grant. This grant covers two programs: business and community economic development and for farm innovation which implements the North Kootenay Lake food shed plan.
Village of Midway Mayor Martin Fromme
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idway is working with the Thompson Okanagan Tourism Association to develop our historic location as Mile Zero on the historic Kettle Valley Railway. Initially, this relationship will result in improved interpretive signage along the rail trail. The Kettle River Museum has completed the renovation of the historic bunkhouse for heritage stays for cyclists Greenwood and Midway are shareholders in the Boundary Community Forest which supplies logs to support our local Vaagan Brothers sawmill. The community forest has obtained grant funding to enhance the forest space along the US-Canada border to reduce the risk of wildfire on the summit of the hiking/cycling trails. There is also a project to develop seedling nurseries for meeting the local need and needs in other areas of British Columbia. Council is reaching out to local First Nations to develop an interpretive component to the Entwined Trees park, a local First Nations historic site. June 5 marked the commencement of our age-friendly project to study the needs of an aging population and to develop a plan to give direction to our council and community organizations to make Midway a desirable place to live while aging.
City of Nelson
Mayor Tom Zeleznik
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akusp is a community that is motivated, skilled, compassionate, caring, and we find ways to get things done. Nakusp in October voted in a new council that wishes to work with the community to focus on effective ways of creating a more economically resilient community. One way is to focus on our assets and strengths, emphasizing what the community does have that will continually improve our community’s life and sustainability. Development now – Completion of Nakusp’s downtown revitalization. Future development – High-speed fibre-optic infrastructure. Official Community Plan to strengthen the vision of the community. Expand our local campground. Phase 2 of downtown revitalization. Complete bylaw of off-road vehicle designated route. Economic strategy for more land development. Signage to attract more non-commercial traffic into our downtown core. Ten home housing development. Upgrades to parks. Updating our hospital emergency room. Breakwater.
City of Rossland Mayor John Dooley
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he City of Nelson aims to be the No. 1 municipality in Canada based on value for service. We continue to invest in infrastructure renewal and add new world class amenities such as parks and public spaces. Our community thrives because of our small businesses and entrepreneurial spirit. We are starting to see larger companies, such as Traction on Demand set up satellite offices in Nelson, joining a growing list of tech businesses including ThoughtExchange, Drop Design, Retreat Guru, CoreLogic and D-Pace to name a few. These companies are attracted to Nelson because we are open for business and for our outstanding lifestyle. Aside from offering established broadband connectivity, the city has worked closely with these companies to navigate any potential issues related to relocating their businesses, whether it be housing, finding office space, or other hurdles. This new tech sector adds to our already strong business sector that range from retail and hospitality to construction. Our housing starts are a record levels and businesses are investing. Come join us! 9
Village of Nakusp
West Kootenay-Boundary FORWARD | 2019
Mayor Kathy Moore
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ossland is a busy little town. There has been significant private investment. For example, in December we celebrated the opening of the Josie Hotel, a deluxe boutique accommodation and delicious restaurant. Also at the ski hill, to meet the needs of those with more modest means, the Nowhere Special Hostel opened just in time for the ski season. These offerings provide additional choice and availability, adding to the unique Ramshead Inn as well as the condominiums already established at the hill. As with many BC communities, Rossland has a critical housing shortage. In partnership with BC Housing, Columbia Basin Trust and the Lower Affordable Housing Society, Rossland will build an affordable housing project in our midtown area. This project is currently in the design phase, but it will likely offer 36 permanent rental units. To achieve energy efficiencies and keep utility costs low, the project will be built to at least Step Code Level 3. The target market will be individuals and families of any age who work in Rossland or retired from a job in Rossland.
West Kootenay-Boundary FORWARD | 2019 9
A billion dollar deal Columbia Basin Trust and Columbia Power secure full ownership of the Waneta Expansion project BY Valerie Rossi
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he region rejoiced this year when the Columbia Basin Trust and Columbia Power Corporation restored 50/50 percent ownership of the Waneta Expansion Generating Station. The nearly $1 billion purchase of 51 per cent interest from Fortis Inc. was announced in January, making it one of the highest-value transactions in the region’s history. While the dollar figure is certain to generate community interest, what’s most surprising is the unique sense of ownership residents share, according to Johnny Strilaeff, Trust president and CEO. “When we announced we were acquiring Fortis’ interest, I thought a lot of the initial discussion was going to be around what sort of benefits would be realized,” explains Strilaeff. “I would say the immediate reaction was a little deeper and richer — it was ‘Thank goodness, we finally have ownership and control back in this region.’ There’s that deeper connection and I find it fascinating.” The $900-million expansion began commercial operation in 2015 from a generating site located immediately 10
West Kootenay-Boundary FORWARD | 2019
downstream of the Waneta Dam on the Pend d’Oreille River near Trail. The 335-MW secondary powerhouse shares the Waneta Dam’s hydraulic head and generates enough clean, renewable energy to power 60,000 homes from water that would otherwise be spilled. From the outside, not much has changed: FortisBC continues to operate the Waneta Expansion facility and purchase its surplus capacity. “I would say now the reaction has shifted to: ‘What’s next?’ It’s not like announcing, for example, the construction of a new hydroelectric facility where there’s visible changes over time as it’s built,” adds Strilaeff. “This project is already built, in operation, and by all outward appearances, there is no change.” Financially, however, the transaction will significantly benefit the region. There will be an increase in resources available immediately as a result of the purchase, which will be communicated to residents once fully understood. Once the loan for the purchase is paid in full — no later
than 2050, but likely earlier if an accelerated payment plan is put in place — the revenue stream can then be redirected to community priorities and delivered through a broad range of programs and initiatives that support Basin communities. There is still an immediate financial benefit to the Trust and, by extension, residents of the region that Strilaeff likens to buying an investment property and collecting rent that is greater than the cost of the mortgage. “That’s what’s happening with this particular plant; our ‘rent’ collected is going to be higher than our costs and loan payments right away,” he explains, nodding to the partnership that serves the region. Columbia Power Corporation is a Crown corporation, owned by the Province of British Columbia, with a mandate to undertake hydroelectricity projects in the Columbia River region in collaboration with its sister Crown corporation, the Trust. When the Trust and the Columbia Power were initially created, part of the original endowments included rights
Kootenay West MLA Katrine Conroy (the minister responsible for the Columbia Basin Trust and Columbia Power) is pictured with Trust board chair Rick Jensen (far right), Columbia Power board chair Tim Stanley (far left), and CEO Johnny Strilaeff (second from right) in front of new sign representing 50/50 ownership of the Waneta Expansion project. Courtesy Columbia Basin Trust
to build hydroelectric assets in the region. The Waneta Expansion project ultimately became possible with a partnership with Fortis Inc., which supported the construction cost and mitigated the risks for a project of this calibre. When Fortis Inc. chose to sell its interest as part of its overall funding plan for its $17.3 billion five-year capital program at its regulated utilities, market conditions were favourable, according to Fortis Inc.’s Karen McCarthy, vice president of communications and corporate affairs. “This new plan, announced in October 2018, is up 20 per cent from the previous five-year plan,” she adds. “The corporation decided to sell one of its non-core, non-regulated assets to help fund the investments in its core regulated utility business, including growth in its British Columbia operations.”
Visit the Trail Museum & Archives and Trail Visitor Centre in the Riverfront Centre
While Fortis Inc. was an outstanding partner, Strilaeff says changing the model back to a shared ownership with Columbia Power Corporation ensures future decisions can be made with mutual values aligned to serve generations. “Those of us who grew up in this region are accustomed to seeing industrial-scale hydroelectric projects, but we may not appreciate how desirable they are on a global basis,” he explains. “Purchasing 51 per cent for $991 million teaches us that if we take a look at the other projects that we own and continue to successfully operate, we’re measuring value in the multi-billions of dollars in terms of the hydroelectric assets that are now part of the Columbia Basin Trust’s portfolio — and these are here for the benefit of residents in the region.”
Explore Trail’s sporting and industrial roots in the Kootenays’ premier heritage facility
free admission tourism@trail.ca tourismtrailbc.ca
Above: The Columbia Basin Trust board is seen at Waneta when an agreement to purchase 50 per cent of the expansion project from Fortis was announced in January. Courtesy Columbia Basin Trust. Previous page: The Waneta Expansion Generation Station was designed and built between 2010 and 2015 at a cost of $900 million. It has a capacity of 332 megawatts. Courtesy Columbia Basin Trust
museum@trail.ca trailmuseum.ca
1505 Bay Avenue, Trail, BC • 250.364.0821
The Trust supports the ideas and efforts of the people in the Columbia Basin by providing services, programs, initiatives and financial investments that benefit the social, economic and environmental well-being of Basin people. The organization was created by the Columbia Basin Trust Act in 1995 to benefit the region most adversely affected by the Columbia River Treaty, which led to the construction of three storage dams in the Basin and one in Montana for flood control and power production in both Canada and the U.S. “The original endowment started at just over $300 million to create Columbia Basin Trust, and it’s now grown to be worth north of $3 billion,” shares Strilaeff. “I think that’s a terrific story for Basin residents. It’s here to serve exclusively the needs of Basin community residents.”
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1-844-467-8748 (1-844-insur4u) www.kootenayinsurance.ca West Kootenay-Boundary FORWARD | 2019
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Teck talk West Kootenay’s biggest employer committed to improving efficiency, environmental performance
Teck Trail Operation has been the city’s economic engine for well over a century. Courtesy Teck Trail Operation has been Teck the city’s economic engine Resources for well over a century. CourLtd. tesy Teck Resources Ltd.
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West Kootenay-Boundary FORWARD | 2019
BY Valerie Rossi
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he lights at Teck Trail Operations are always on, reminding residents that work is underway at the integrated zinc and lead smelting and refining complex that anchors the city. Trail’s metallurgical operations is considered one of the largest of its kind in the world — employing upwards of 1,400 people and producing a variety of precious and specialty metals, chemicals, and fertilizer products. To find out what’s new at the Trail facility, West Kootenay/Boundary Forward spoke with Catherine Adair, community relations leader for Teck Resources Limited. “Our overall focus is to continually look for ways to further improve efficiency, productivity, and environmental performance at the operation; it’s an important and integrated part of Teck’s broader business as the primary refiner for zinc from Teck’s Red Dog mine,” explains Adair. Teck Trail is currently nearing completion of its No. 2 acid plant, which is part of the zinc production process that converts SO2 gas into sulphuric acid later used in fertilizer production. The new facility is a replica of the No. 1 acid plant,
completed in 2014; the newer technology in the two new plants will allow them to together replace three acid plants that have reached the end of their lifespan. “Construction began in 2017, and the plant is currently undergoing commissioning. It’s expected to be fully operational this summer,” says Adair. “The $174 million capital investment will significantly improve operating reliability and flexibility, reducing downtime and maintenance costs.” Additionally, Trail Operations continues to take significant steps toward strengthening air quality measures through its fugitive dust reduction program, which addresses dust from stockpiles, material mixing, and transportation. “Reducing emissions from our site through a comprehensive program provides the greatest opportunity to continue reducing community ambient metal levels,” explains Adair. The program includes the $40 million investment in the smelter recycle building, which provides enclosed mixing and storage of process feed materials, and the $1.9 million roaster feed pad wind fence. Since 2016, Trail Operations has reduced lead in community ambient air by 47 per cent. “This work builds on more than 99 per cent reduction measured stack lead emissions from Trail Operations
Providing Products Essential to Building a Better Quality of Life
since the mid-1990s, due to the installation of the Kivcet smelter in 1997 and subsequent improvements,” adds Adair. Teck’s pursuit for sustainability was recognized in 2018, when the company was named to the Dow Jones Sustainability World Index, ranking Teck in the top 10 per cent of the world’s 2,500 largest public companies for the ninth straight year. “Teck recognizes that success is dependent on the ability to establish safe workplaces for its people and collaborative relationships with communities,” says Adair, adding that Teck was also selected as one of Canada’s top employers in both 2018 and 2019. “We are continually striving for innovative improvements to our operations that help us to modernize while also strengthening the regional economy; we’re also working with other local companies on potential partnerships to achieve this,” she says. Graduate students are currently looking at ways to extract and refine valuable rare elements from intermediate products, which can be used commercially in semiconductors and other electronic applications. This work is being conducted by UBC Okanagan in association with MIDAS (Metallurgical Industrial Development Acceleration and Studies), a fabrication lab located in Trail.
As one of the world’s largest producers of zinc, Teck plays an important role in supplying zinc to meet the world’s infrastructure needs and we are committed to helping solve the global health issue of zinc deficiency through our Zinc & Health program.
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The best boss in Canada brings his talent home Greg Malpass brings Traction on Demand to Nelson BY Jake Sherman
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Nelson native Greg Malpass has built Traction on Demand into one of Canada’s top workplaces, and now he’s opened an office in his hometown. Jake Sherman photo
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reg Malpass, 42, is the founder and CEO of Traction on Demand, a cloud-based computing company. After nearly flunking out of school during his first semester at Simon Fraser University, Malpass built his tech startup from one employee to over 550. This year, Traction on Demand is expected to grow to over 700. Twenty-five of those employees will be based in Nelson. Greg Malpass is the best boss in Canada — but he nearly flunked out of school. Malpass is a born-and-raised Nelsonite and the founder and CEO of Traction on Demand, a tech-based startup that’s been regularly listed as one of the fastest growing companies in Canada and whose current and former clients include Bombardier, MIT, and Tesla. It expects to hire 300 employees this year. It was one of the first 100 certified B Corps in Canda — a designation that means the company is legally required to consider how its decisions will affect workers, customers, suppliers, and the environment. This year — after being ranked in the top ten for six consecutive years — Traction on Demand took home the top prize
for the best employer in Great Place to Work Canada’s annual competition. That’s because its hiring process is completely based around workplace satisfaction. Malpass says the idea is that productivity and profit are directly linked to employee well-being. Traction on Demand hires first and foremost on personality, second on intelligence, and third on skills. The thinking behind their hiring process is that if you hire someone based on their skills, you are paying for what they are, not what they can become. Over 90 per cent of Traction on Demand’s employees had no experience with the customer relationship management software that forms the backbone of Malpass’ business. In 2017 Traction on Demand had an under six per cent turnover rate. According to Canadian Business, the turnover rate in software consulting is generally in the double digits. It’s a remarkable success story. Malpass started his business alone, with no outside funding. His decision to go into business on his own was born out of his frustration with the corporate
world. Now, after growing to over 500 employees, he’s about to set up shop with 25 employees in the longtime home of the Royal Canadian Legion in Nelson. It’s part of giving back to the community that raised him — a community where he used to work at the grocery store as a cashier. “The thing that draws me to Nelson are the people. It’s a place where people are accountable. It’s a small town. Word moves fast. And it’s fun to be in a spot where people respect others for saying what they’re gonna do, and doing what their gonna say.” The School of Hard Knocks Though Malpass is grateful to be able to set up shop in Nelson, his path to being crowned the best boss in Canada was paved with hard knocks. Malpass wanted to be a doctor, like his dad, who practices in Nelson. But that didn’t pan out. After his first semester at Simon Fraser University, he finished with a 1.54 GPA. He realized he didn’t have the grades he
would need for medical school. One day Malpass was hitchhiking up the hill to SFU when the head of the kinesiology faculty picked him up. Sports medicine had always interested him. He explained his interest in the faculty and the program director asked him whether he wanted to work in a clinic, or own the clinic. He realized he wanted to be in charge. As a result Malpass decided to switch to the business faculty. The only catch: you needed to have a 3.5 GPA to gain admission to the program. The dean of the faculty told him if he were nominated to the executive of three business clubs, he could individually approach each professor to gain admission to the class, a decision each professor would have to make on their own. Suffice it to say, they did. Malpass told The Globe and Mail in 2017 that he negotiated to get into every business class he took in university. Now Malpass, who once bagged groceries at Safeway, and nearly flunked out of school, owns one of the fastest growing companies in Canada and is bringing his talent back home. Hopefully, for good.
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trailairport.ca (800) 663-2872 West Kootenay-Boundary FORWARD | 2019
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Seeing the forest for the trees Premier John Horgan addresses employees at the Interfor plant in Castlegar earlier this year. Photo: John Boivin
Diverse opportunities abound with growth and green technologies BY Emily Kemp
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he West Kootenay/Boundary is unique for its hub of small-to-large forestry businesses, ensuring varied opportunities. “We have a number of diverse and fairly small scale players locally in the industry,� said Kale-
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snikoff Lumber forest development manager Gerald Cordeiro. Kalesnikoff Lumber is a family-run mill in Thrums, near Castlegar, that turns 80 this year. They employ 150 staff and countless contractors through their operations and they cut lumber for uses in construction to interiors and furniture. Kalesnikoff is part of the Interior Lumber Man-
ufacturers Association, which is made up of 12 independent manufacturers, a community forest corporation, and dozens of associate member companies. Their companies in the West Kootenay include Atco Wood Products in Fruitvale, Gold Island Forest Products in South Slocan, Porcupine Wood Products in Salmo and Vaagen Fibre in Midway.
“It was an eye opener for me to see how important an industry is to the rural towns and community in Midway, Rock Creek and Greenwood,” Vaagen Fibre Canada’s fibre manager Dan Macmaster said. Vaagen Fibre, an American company, took over the Pope and Talbot mill in 2011 after it closed in 2007. They provide jobs for 70 employees and have a large contracting base of about 200. But the size of the ILMA’s entire conglomerate doesn’t match the holdings of the biggest operation in the local area. Interfor is one of the world’s largest lumber providers and has 18 mills across North America. This includes mills in Castlegar and Grand Forks, which collectively employ over 300 staff and pump out the full scope of lumber end uses. Another aspect of the local forestry industry is the pulp mill, which turns wood chips into pulp for paper and cardboard uses. Mercer/ Zellstoff Celgar, based in Castlegar, is the Kootenay’s largest pulp mill and the main employer in the Castlegar area, employing a little over 400 staff. The mill’s annual production capacity has grown to 520,000 air dried metric tons. The U.S. market has long been the main importer of Canadian forest products, however there has been ongoing conflict through the years with tariffs and disputes over fairness in trade pricing. Exports to Asian markets such as China, Japan and Korea have risen sharply over the past decade, helping to increase the robustness of this sector. This year, big news for the forestry industry came in March with the Province of B.C. allowing municipal councils early adoption of the federal government’s 2020 National Building Code, which allows mass timber construction to increase from six storeys to 12. In the U.S., the International Code Council will recommend building code changes for 2021 that allow mass timber buildings of up to 18 floors high, twice as high as the current U.S. maximum. Mass timber, which includes cross-laminated timber and glulam and other products, is already well established and widely used in Europe. This innovative building material can be a preference over traditional building materials and it is also considered a green building technology — important in a time of climate change. Its green attributes come from avoiding the CO2 generated in the production of steel and concrete as well as sequestering massive amounts of carbon by tying up wood in buildings for upwards of 80 years. As growth continues so inevitably does construction, so green methods are hugely important, although more detailed analysis needs to be done before mass timber can conclusively be touted as the most sustainable option. Kalesnikoff, despite considering themselves a small player, are investing $35 million in a new mass timber manufacturing facility in South Slocan, which is scheduled to open in late 2019 with a full product line by the end of 2020 (see related story, page 4). It will create 50 new technology-centered, local jobs and expanded community benefits. “It is going to be state of the art — the most advanced in North America,” Cordeiro said. “I don’t think it can be overstated as to what a great benefit mass timber is with its uses. It’s a major breakthrough for the B.C. forest industry.” And as we prepare for wildfire season, the forestry industry is helping with fire mitigation. Companies can be creative in getting their fibre sources through clearing dense and blown down trees and the build-up of fuels on the forest floor. Vaagen Fibre Canada has paired up with the local government and the Forest Enhancement Society of B.C. and has six fuel mitigation projects on the go. Macmaster says the Rock Creek fire in 2015, which destroyed 30 homes, highlights the importance of these projects. “If a fire ever comes in it will be manageable and allows us to essentially control it and not have the devastation we’ve seen in the rest of the province,” he said. “We’re pretty proud of that.”
The Zellstoff Celgar pulp mill is Castlegar’s biggest private employer.
Interfor’s Castlegar mill. Photo: Chelsea Novak
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Right up our alley Metal Tech Alley brands Trail area as centre for metallurgical, technological excellence BY Valerie Rossi
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ffordability and lifestyle-first living sound like perfect drivers for economic development, but what happens when the same story is coming out of other parts of the province? That’s exactly what Terry Van Horn, executive director of the Trail-area regional economic development office, the Lower Columbia Initiatives Corporation, encountered when she pitched to a room of investors over six years ago. Feeling defeated but still determined to tell the Lower Columbia’s unique story, she returned to her board of directors. With Teck Trail Operations centering the growing activity in the region, the concept of Metal Tech
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Metal Tech Alley is putting Trail on the metallurgical map. Courtesy Lower Columbia Initiatives Corporation
Alley was born and is now thriving in the region. The branding approach is led by the Lower Columbia Initiatives Corporation and its community partners of Trail, Rossland, Fruitvale, Montrose, Warfield, and regional district electoral areas A and B. The concept focuses on celebrating the region’s robust metallurgical and technology sectors bubbling in Trail and the surrounding area by highlighting the collaboration between innovative businesses. Case in point: i4C Innovation Centre, a technology integrator that designs and implements complex industrial solutions with technology partners. New start-ups, new investment, and new jobs are flourishing in Metal Tech Alley, as highly skilled professionals attract like-minded people to the growing network. “Creating a cluster or collaborative approach to economic development ensures all of our local businesses are speaking the same language and telling the same stories,” explains Van Horn, who is essentially leading recruitment and investment prospects for over 80 companies that belong to the group. The bid to attract more people to the area is working, she says, as professionals with expertise in metallurgy or technology are pinpointing Trail as a centre for excellence; they’re enthusiastically joining the growing trend, all while contributing to the local economy by buying homes, registering their children in schools, and shopping locally. “Basically almost every company has to be a technology company somewhat to even survive in this day and age; we recognize there’s incredible technology going on that isn’t related
to the metallurgical sector, but that’s still very innovative,” adds Van Horn, alluding to Thoughtexchange and its growing number of global employees choosing to work and live from Rossland or remotely worldwide. Thoughtexchange “brings people together” using AI and machine learning to facilitate data collection, and empowers community leaders through its unique intelligence software. The insight gleaned through real-time, open-ended questions and discussions helps inform decisions for groups of all kinds. One of the next steps is developing a value proposition for the companies that belong to Metal Tech Alley, which will help build a case and sustain future growth. “We are transitioning our region toward a circular economy and Teck plays a big role in that,” Van Horn says. “Because they have many intermediate strains that they actually export out of our region, we feel this could be a huge opportunity for new local business development as well.” One company already leveraging this is Fenix Advanced Materials Inc., a clean technology company specializing in the manufacturing of ultra-high purity metals for use in the solar energy, telecommunications, and commercial markets. While the membership list is impressive, Van Horn calls MIDAS (Metallurgical Industrial Development Acceleration and Studies Centre) a “springboard” to getting Metal Tech Alley off the ground. Initiated by KAST (Kootenay Association of Science and Technology), MIDAS is an applied
research, commercialization and digital fabrication training facility in Trail that makes advances in manufacturing technology like 3-D printing accessible to West Kootenay companies, entrepreneurs, and students. While the “alley” is identified on the map as Trail (and area), or between Calgary and Vancouver for out-of-towners, excitement is growing and organizations in service areas beyond Trail are also following suit and joining the movement. The Nelson Innovation Centre, now also led by KAST, is starting to take shape after years of concept development. The technical hub and concierge service for the growing digital economy — that’s virtual software, gaming, the cloud, etc. — is now firmly rooted in Nelson, in the former CPR station. “We’re hoping that companies will realize that investing in the digital economy here will assist them with things like talent attraction,” explains KAST executive director Cam Whitehead. He is currently trying to secure funding to purchase the first metal 3-D printer for rural Canada, among other initiatives that foster transformation and modernization in the region. Van Horn is pleased to see all these success stories connected and huddled under the umbrella of Metal Tech Alley, which continues to gain support on a large scale, including securing provincial grants from the Rural Dividend Fund. Her pitch to investors sounds much different these days and she says the response has been “astronomical.” “They say, ‘If you build it, they will come,’ and they have; they’ve come in spades.” West Kootenay-Boundary FORWARD | 2019
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Village of Salmo
Village of Silverton
Mayor Diana Lockwood
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almo is your up and coming community. We have a very proud community and our council is working to beautify it through art and blooms. We are collaborating with high school students, arts council and local businesses as we bring you a new rock mural for our fence that will house our new recycling depot. Our Chamber of Commerce has a large project in the works: an outdoor mining exhibit along Highway 6. Our community will be proud owners of an updated wastewater treatment plant. Now that Canada has legalized cannabis, our community can also move forward as they would like to see cannabis a part of the village and area. In the private sector, a building has been refurbished and is now open with seven health-related businesses. We also have some large employers close to us, including Sutco, Summit Truck and Equipment Repairs, and ECO Chips with a total of 124 employees and Porcupine Wood Products with over 100 employees. There are many other businesses and organizations that make us who we are. Shambhala happens here also! We invite you to come and see what we are all about.
Village of Slocan Mayor Jessica Lunn
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here is no doubt that the Village of Slocan is bursting with untapped potential. Thrust into a time of transformative change this stunning mountain village is in a period of discovery, engagement, creativity and growth. Springer Creek Municipal Campground has seen visitor numbers increasing each year and revenue has more than quadrupled within the last decade. Twelve brand-new units of seniors’ housing have recently been completed and are now occupied by new residents. The units are situated behind the community Wellness Centre, including a bustling library, fitness centre and health centre housing three practitioners — and yes, a new electric vehicle charging station. Two new commercial buildings are currently under construction in Slocan’s commercial core. Coming up? Exterior renovations for the Legion Hall, detailed design work for our downtown revitalization plan, and implementation of phase one of our waterfront beach plan top the list. In 2020 broadband will light up more opportunity … and did I mention the 20 acres of waterfront that is ripe for redevelopment? The future is bright!
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Mayor Jason Clarke
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re you looking for a place to set up a high quality dispensary? Silverton would like you to bring your business to our village. We don’t have any school zoning to worry about. Our business district is across town from our playground. Silverton has put a lot of effort towards making our community business ready. We are furthering that work by starting an OCP review with a focus on economic growth, community sustainability and cultural vibrancy. When you want to do business in the Kootenays please consider Silverton.
City of Trail Mayor Lisa Pasin
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rail’s Victoria Street corridor will see significant change this year with the city completing demolition of the Union Hotel, which will result in development-ready land. A private vacant lot on Victoria Street will also be developed into a commercial business. The city’s investment in a second access road to Kootenay Boundary Regional Hospital supports the $57 million in improvements underway at our regional hospital; these investments will result in significant economic activity for the city and will ensure excellence in health services is maintained for regional residents. Council endorsed the city and Trail Smoke Eaters hockey club submitting a bid for the 2021 National Junior A Championship, which, if successful, will result in considerable immediate economic impacts and likely have further residual returns. The City of Trail remains open for business and is working hard to complement ongoing development through a refresh of our Official Community Plan as a strategic priority.
Putting trust in the region Main photo: The Spicer family’s 60-acre farm in Nakusp, around the 1960s, before most of it was flooded as a result of the Columbia River Treaty. Photo: John Osborn Inset: Columbia Basin Trust president and CEO Johnny Strilaeff
A grassroots success story from an eco-tragedy BY Emily Kemp
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he Columbia Basin Trust provides tremendous benefit to the Columbia Basin region, with over $60 million annually spent on community initiatives for a population of only about 155,000. Yet its existence came following a heavy cost. The Trust is a crown corporation that exists for the social, economic and environmental benefit of the Canadian Columbia Basin — an area from Valemount down to the international border with Rossland to the west and Fernie to the east. Johnny Strilaeff, president and CEO, calls it a unique model. “It’s a fascinating organization,” he said. “We have looked around the world to see if there is a comparable institution that we could learn from or develop a relationship with. You know, we haven’t found one yet.” Through its granting programs, small community groups like the Castle Theatre Association in Castlegar have an avenue for financial help and were recently successful in receiving $4,000 for upgrades to their auditorium. Yet the Trust didn’t just happen. It is the result of a grassroots effort from residents, regional district rep-
resentatives and tribal councils. Together, in the early 1990s, they lobbied the Province of B.C. to allocate funds to the Basin. Funds that grew out of sacrifices they had made. Up until the mid-1960s, a different way of life prevailed in areas such as along Arrow Lakes. Quiet, prosperous valleys had lumber mills and farms, and towns such as the now dismantled Arrowhead, south of Revelstoke. Now part of the Arrow Lakes valley, once the third-largest agricultural area in B.C., sits under water most of the year due to damming. Four storage dams — Duncan (north of Kaslo), Keenleyside (west of Castlegar), Mica (north of Revelstoke), and Libby (Montana) — were constructed to provide flood control and electricity to the United States in return for financial benefits to B.C., as agreed in the 1964 Columbia River Treaty. The government at the time did little consultation and whole communities were told to leave, given “pennies to the dollar” for land they built their lives on. The subsequent loss of wildlife and fish, fertile lands, and people’s livelihoods is a deep wound. Eileen Delehanty West Kootenay-Boundary FORWARD | 2019
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Left to right: Community meetings with the Columbia Basin Trust are a common occurrence. Photo: Columbia Basin Trust The Spicer family’s 60-acre farm before flooding. Photo: John Osborn
Pearkes, who commends the Trust on their work, chronicles the events in her book A River Captured. “This was a priceless ecosystem that we lost forever,” she said. “Some of those survivors of that displacement have a really empathic relationship with Indigenous people because they understand what the Indigenous people have gone through.” Strilaeff agrees that nothing can make up for these losses. But the Trust is a “future forward” organization and he is careful to note it wasn’t created for compensation. “It may sound like nuance,” he says. “[But] the Trust was created as a vehicle for the region to share in some of the benefits resulting from the Columbia River Treaty, for a better future.” Strilaeff believes that this is the reason the Trust succeeded in being created, where similar cases elsewhere
haven’t. “The leaders found very quickly that if they were going to stay unified, it couldn’t be about compensation,” he said. “They cared about the fabric of the communities and bringing the region together.” Strilaeff has worked for the Trust since 2005 and has seen it go from spending $5 million annually on community work to over $60 million. When the Trust began in 1995, the province endowed it with $276 million to invest in regional hydroelectric projects, $45 million to invest otherwise and $2 million per year till 2010 for operations. The immense scale of the Trust’s activities can barely be touched on here. For example, in January this year the Trust and partner Columbia Power, purchased a powerhouse on Waneta Dam for $1 billion (see related story
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page 10). Income from investments like these allow it to be involved in projects like the $10.5 million high-speed broadband project, which is critically important for areas like the Slocan Valley, but not commercially viable. A 12-member board of directors governs the Trust and the organization takes its direction from residents and communities. Criteria for its grant programs and initiatives are directed through their priorities such as affordable housing, arts and culture, and renewable energy. Next year marks 25 years since the Trust’s inception and it will update these priorities. Communities can expect a consultation process for where they want to see the organization go. “I think it is a celebration in part and also a natural time of reflection, and it will hopefully position us well to define the next 25 years,” Strilaeff said.
Village of Warfield Diane Langman
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he Village of Warfield is a small, vibrant, connected community settled between the City of Trail and City of Rossland. When you want to escape the city life, Warfield is the place to be!
Our pride and joy is our Warfield Centennial Pool which opens on Warfield Day (June 1) and closes the last week in August.When around the pool in the summer, there is always laughter in the air with the young and young at heart slip sliding on the water slides, playing in the splash park, enjoying a treat from the Sugar Shack or running around at the park behind the pool.
Also make sure to check out the various events that our Warfield special events committee puts on throughout the year, which are open to anyone in the area, including an Easter Egg hunt, Warfield Day, Nightmare on Lauriente Way, and Breakfast with Santa. Thanks to our many volunteers and employees who keep Warfield an amazing place to live!
Vaagen Fibre Canada Midway, BC
BACKGROUND Established in 2011, Vaagen Fibre Canada is a dimensional lumber sawmill located in Midway, BC. PARTNERSHIPS Vaagen Fibre Canada relies on partnerships and good relationships with communities, First Nations, private landowners, and other mills to procure the necessary log volume required to maintain production. While working closely with the Osoyoos Indian Band, Vaagen Fibre Canada has developed a strong partnership which allows for landscape level management, protection of environmentally and culturally significant areas, and proper forest stewardship throughout the Boundary Region. The West Boundary Community Forest and Vaagen Fibre Canada have a management partnership to keep jobs local, address forest health concerns, fireproof stands in in the wildland-urban interface and provide recreational opportunities on Community Forest lands.
FOREST STEWARDSHIP Making the best use of forest resources doesn’t have to mean damaging the environment or endangering the species that need a healthy ecosystem in which to thrive. Harvesting smaller logs helps reduce the potentially devastating effects of natural calamities like fire, disease, and insect infestation. Thinning crowded stands improves tree growth and helps eliminate potentially hazardous material that can increase the risk of fire and disease, providing the trees that remain with a healthy environment in which to grow. Another important aspect of the Vaagen approach is known as Optimal Resource Utilization. Simply put, the goal is to make the best use of as much of the harvested log as possible. Bark, wood chips and other wood fibre are processed and utilized in the paper and landscaping industries. By helping to maintain and improve forest health, Vaagen Fibre Canada is supporting both a healthy, growing business — and the communities and customers that rely on it. Making the best use of each log, and doing what’s best for the forest itself, helps to perpetuate a cycle that is endlessly renewable and offers benefits to all. Please contact Dan Macmaster, RPF at dmacmaster@vaagen.ca if you have any questions or would just like to chat about forestry.
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The sale of a half-interest in the Waneta Expansion project from Fortis to the Columbia Power Corporation and Columbia Basin Trust was one of the biggest dollar-value transaction in West Kootenay’s history. Courtesy Columbia Basin Trust. See full story on page 10.
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