Nupqu Development Corporation Starts New Venture—partners with Kamloops-based Highland Powerlines

—

Photo courtesy nupqu.com

Nupqu Development Corporation is expanding their services once again, as they have now entered into a partnership with Highland Powerlines of Kamloops, B.C. The new venture called Nupqu Powerline Services will be the only First Nations-owned powerline maintenance and construction company in Southeastern B.C. The primary services offered will be powerline design, line construction and line maintenance.

“Nupqu Development Corporation continues to explore business opportunities in pursuit of its vision of being a contributor to a thriving Ktunaxa Nation economy,” said Bob Luke, board of directors chair of Nupqu Development Corporation. “We look forward to growing this new business with our current corporate partners and to developing employment opportunities for Ktunaxa citizens.”

Nupqu Development Corporation is a Ktunaxa Nation owned business with 15 years of experience in natural resource based consulting and contracting. Nupqu is the Ktunaxa word for black bear, which was chosen to represent the powerful and resourceful nature of the organization. Nupqu Development Corporation is a company proudly owned by the communities of the Ktunaxa Nation.

“We have existing business relationships and operations that we hope to expand on through Nupqu Powerline Services,” said Norm Fraser, operational director for Nupqu Development Corporation. “It now offers a unique opportunity for industry to work with a Ktunaxa business in the Ktunaxa Territory.”

“We also hope to expand employment and training opportunities for Ktunaxa people into the powerline industry. The goal of Nupqu Powerline services is to bring together our business experience with powerline trades people and expertise, to offer quality competitive services while meeting our corporate objectives.”

Highland Powerlines brings to the partnership, over 30 years of construction and maintenance of transmission and distribution powerline projects throughout B.C.

“This partnership is modeled after a similar agreement we have with the Simpcw First Nation,” said Clark Hooton, manager of Highland Powerlines. “We feel that Nupqu’s experience in the forestry and environmental aspects of powerline systems makes them an ideal partner.”

“We already are operating with one crew based in Cranbrook including a journeyman powerline technician, bucket truck and line truck. We have the ability to expand or bring in other Highland resources quickly to meet customer needs,” concluded Hooton.

For more information on Nupqu Development Corporation, please visit nupqu.com.