MARCH 2019
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PORT ALBERNI Realtor Dave Koszegi Dedicates Prestigious Award to Local Student
Mercedes Test Runs New Vehicle Processing Centre New Port Of Nanaimo Project Starting In April, Creating Close To 100 Jobs BY MARK MACDONALD BUSINESS EXAMINER
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INDEX News Update
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Nanaimo 10 Cowichan Valley
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Comox Valley
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Alberni Valley
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Cruising 26 Digital 28 West Coast
SEE VEHICLE PROCESSING CENTRE | PAGE 36
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Who is Suing Whom 37 Movers and Shakers 39 Opinion 42
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Michelle Corfield stands in front of new vehicles at the Vehicle Processing Centre
A NA IMO – W hen the vehicle carrier Tranquil Ace docked at the Port of Nanaimo on March 8, it delivered the first Mercedes Benz cars in what would be a pilot-run of the new Vehicle Processing Centre (VPC) at the Port. It’s been almost a year since the Port of Nanaimo announced the partnership between Western Stevedoring and the Auto Division of SSA Marine to set up a 60,000 square foot facility near the waterfront to do final detailing on European automobiles prior to their delivery to B.C. dealerships for sale. The Federal government committed $6.3 million towards the project, which created up to 200 jobs during construction and will have around 100 jobs once
full production begins in early April following the arrival of a full shipment of vehicles. “This project came about after a lot of hard work behind the scenes,” says Port of Nanaimo Chair Michelle Corfield. “Watching the first pilot-run is very exciting, because it means the Vehicle Processing Centre is almost ready to open, and these well-paying jobs will be a real boost to the local economy.” Ian Marr, who was appointed Chief Executive Officer of the Port in January, says the Vehicle Processing Centre opens up new doors of opportunity for the Nanaimo region. Previously, European cars had been shipped to eastern Canada and sent across the country by rail, and vehicles can now be shipped directly to the West Coast.
40 Finalists Named For VIREB Commercial Building Awards Buildings From The Malahat To Port Hardy To Be Celebrated At April 4th Gala In Courtenay
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A NA I MO – A tota l of 40 buildings have been named finalists for the 12th Annual Vancouver Island Real Estate Board Commercial Building Awards, set for April 4 at the Florence Filberg Centre in Courtenay. The number of finalist projects, while lower than the previous year, still represents a strong market in the region. The gala will be held in the Comox Valley for the second time, celebrating the best in commercial, community and industrial buildings north of the
Malahat on Vancouver Island, which were completed between January 1 and December 31, 2018. “There is a very large number of finalists, one of the largest ever,” notes Mark MacDonald of Business Examiner Vancouver Island, which coordinates the event. “The buildings represented is an indication of the construction activity that has taken place in the region last year, and demonstrates the strength of the market. “The finalists, again this year, includes quality and diversity of
the buildings that is on par or even better than in previous years,” he adds. “This event is all about celebrating the people behind the scenes who make them become reality.” A team of independent judges chooses the winners in the 10 categories of these awards: Renovation, Multi Family Townhome, Multi Family Apartment, Multi Family Non Market, Institutional, Civil, Community, Mixed Use, Industrial and Retail. Gold sponsors of the event are
Re/MAX Commercial, MNP LLP and Coastal Community Credit Union. Category sponsors are NAI Commercial, Yellow Sheet Review, Herold Engineering, Colliers International, Invest Comox Valley, CIBC, BDC (Business Development Bank of Canada) and Berk’s Intertruck. Black Press is the Media Sponsor. The 2018 Judges’ Choice Award Winner for Best Overall Entry was The Twin Sail Buildings in SEE AWARDS | PAGE 14