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Government of Canada Invests in Wood Manufacturing Sector Within British Columbia
The Honourable Allan Rock, Minister of Industry, today announced two funding initiatives to support and increase the wood manufacturing industry within the Thompson-Nicola and Prince George regions of British Columbia.
Western Economic Diversification Canada has contributed $50,000 to help the WoodTEK Business Development Centre provide technical and business training, business development, and management and marketing advice to local value-added wood manufacturers and emerging entrepreneurs in the Prince George region.
Western Economic Diversification Canada has contributed $30,000 to the Thompson-Nicola Wood Manufacturing Enhancement project developed by the Thompson-Nicola Tourism and Economic Development Society (operating as Venture Kamloops). Venture Kamloops has conducted on-going extensive regional and community consultations and implemented a strategic plan to attract new investments in the wood-manufacturing sector. They have also established a public awareness campaign to promote the economic contribution of the wood sector to the area.
"Communities across British Columbia have been hit hard by the
Canada-U.S. softwood lumber dispute," said Minister Allan Rock. "Whether through large national programs like the Softwood Industry Community Economic Adjustment Initiative announced in October 2002, or through strategic investments into community-driven initiatives like WoodTEK, we are working to ensure our forestry-reliant communities are flexible, innovative and sustainable."
"Western Economic Diversification Canada is committed to helping communities find local solutions to local challenges," said Stephen Owen, Secretary of State (Western Economic Diversification) (Indian Affairs and Northern Development). "These projects will accelerate the creation of a stronger and more vigorous industry cluster, and build the foundation to bring a new form of economic wealth into rural British Columbia's local communities."
"Strengthening competitiveness and regional economic diversification through wood manufacturing projects in rural British Columbia is critical to long-term sustainability," said Herb Dhaliwal, Minister of Natural Resources. "These initiatives strive to do just that. They will provide an integral component to the long-term viability of these regions."
Led by the Community Futures Development Corporation of Fraser Fort George and the College of New Caledonia, the WoodTEK Business Development Centre provides local entrepreneurs with a package of services, including physical space, customized business and technical support, access to markets, access to appropriate fibre, and professional development. The centre was established in 2002 with joint funding from Western Economic Diversification Canada and the Government of British Columbia through the federal-provincial Western Economic Partnership Agreement.
"Funding from Western Economic Diversification Canada and the leadership of community partners like the College of New Caledonia and Community Futures, as well as support from various local organizations and business, has enabled WoodTEK to make real progress in building the secondary wood manufacturing industry here in Prince George," said Carolyn Oakley, General Manager of WoodTEK.
The Thompson-Nicola Tourism and Economic Development Society was founded in January 2000, and operates as Venture Kamloops. It is committed to the concept of promoting the region as a single entity with all communities working in partnership to achieve common goals. These include increasing public recognition of primary and large scale manufacturers, strengthening current regional secondary wood manufacturing businesses, and attracting new investment focusing on creating an industry cluster.
"With focused effort and the identified sound foundation, it is possible to realize the demonstrated potential for the value-added wood manufacturing sector in the region," said M-J Cousins, Executive Director for the Thompson-Nicola Tourism and Economic Development Society. "Support and expansion of the value-added wood products manufacturing industry is a component of the regional economic development office's overall economic development strategic plan."
Minister Rock also announced today $2 million Canada/British Columbia Infrastructure Program funding for improvements to facilities at the Prince George Exhibition Park.
For additional information, contact:
Susan Schooley
Manager, Communications
Western Economic Diversification Canada
Tel: (604) 666-1318
M-J Cousins
Executive Director
Thompson-Nicola Tourism and Economic Development Society
(Venture Kamloops)
Tel: (250) 828-6818
World Wide Web Site:
http://www.venturekamloops.com/
Carolyn Oakley
General Manager,
WoodTEK Business Development Centre
Prince George, B.C.
Phone: (250) 564-9663
Email: manager@woodtek.biz
World Wide Web Site:
http://www.woodtek.biz
WD Toll-Free Number:1-888-338-WEST (9378)
Teletypewriter (TTY): 1-877-303-3388
WD Website: www.wd-deo.gc.ca.
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Backgrounder
WoodTEK Business Development Centre
The WoodTEK Business Development Centre is creating a culture of diversified wood manufacturing and innovation, promoting diversification in the wood industry, and providing opportunities for budding entrepreneurs to grow their businesses into enterprises that offer employment for Prince George area residents.
Established in 2002 by the Community Futures Development Corporation (CFDC) of Fraser Fort George and the College of New Caledonia, WoodTEK is a value-added wood manufacturing incubator that:
- contributes directly to the economic growth and development of the value-added wood-manufacturing sector
- encourages the formation of new, high growth businesses and nurtures existing value-added wood manufacturing companies, and
- provides physical space and customized business and technical support.
Western Economic Diversification Canada's $50,000 contribution will strengthen the centre's capacity to provide training, business development and marketing advice to established and emerging value-added softwood manufacturers.
Current tenants at the facility include manufacturing companies such as Beetle Kill Creations (blue pine furniture), Blue Pine Products (promotional items utilizing blue-stained wood) and Custom Technologies (custom millwork and cabinetry), as well as supply and service companies such as the Central Interior Wood Processors Association and a technology-based company that services the industry, Terra Cognita Sofware Systems.
Additional supporters of this community-driven project include: University of Northern British Columbia (UNBC), British Columbia Institute of Technology (BCIT), BC Gas, BC Hydro, Telus, Brink Forest Products, Central Interior Wood Processors Association, Forest Renewal B.C., The Innovation Resource Centre, Lheidli T'enneh Development Corporation, The Prince George Chamber of Commerce, The Prince George Development Corporation, School District #57, Sinclar Enterprises Ltd., The Northern Development Commission and The City of Prince George.
Western Economic Diversification Canada (WD)
Western Economic Diversification Canada (WD) is a federal department mandated to support economic diversification in communities across Western Canada through activities that promote and assist innovation, entrepreneurship, and sustainable communities.
Past support for WoodTEK includes $347,000 in joint funding from WD and the Government of British Columbia through the federal-provincial Western Economic Partnership Agreement. This contribution assisted with start-up costs, including renovations and upgrades to the building as well as furnishings and equipment for staff and tenants.
Thompson-Nicola Wood Enhancement Project
As the economic development agency for the City of Kamloops and the Thompson-Nicola Region, the Thompson-Nicola Tourism and Economic Development Society, operating as Venture Kamloops, prepared a Business Plan and Implementation Strategy aimed at establishing the Thompson-Nicola Region as a centre for wood products manufacturing in the B.C. southern interior.
The business plan is about strengthening and growing the forestry and related wood manufacturing sector, the principal goods-producing industry in the region. Forestry and wood manufacturing, an established contributor to the region's GDP, is experiencing regional, provincial, national and international evolution. It is also a sector that has a clear and demonstrated potential to strengthen and expand. Every community in the region is impacted by the wood-manufacturing sector.
Through a regional cooperative effort, this goal is achievable and will lead to a strengthened economy and a growth in jobs throughout the region.
- This initiative links to the federal priority of seeking sustainable solutions to the U.S. countervailing duties by encouraging the development of wood products that are not subject to these additional trade taxes.
- This business plan recognizes the current status of the industry, including its challenges, and interprets these in terms of opportunity for the Thompson-Nicola Region.
The vision and plan was guided by input from the regional wood manufacturing industry and government, both provincial and municipal. John Talbot of JM Talbot Contract Management was contracted to provide industry expertise to advise on issues and develop industry contacts.
Results from the Initial Forums:
To date, two forums have been held, with 76 registered participants representing 57 British Columbia companies and industry organizations.
Initial participant survey responses showed that:
45% - Yes: forum presented technical material they have or will apply to their plant.
54% - Yes: forum presented sales/marketing material they have or will implement.
BC Wood, the product-marketing agency for the province, has received three new businesses for their Korea initiative as a direct result of a presentation at the second forum on June 13.90% indicated they had developed new business contacts as a result of attending a forum
55% indicated that the information provided will save them management time
82% indicated the forum material presented opportunities for improvement on their company's return on investment ratio.
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