Opportunities into play

Castlegar, B.C., doesn’t use winter as an excuse to pause its economic growth. The city’s chief administrative officer, John Malcolm, believes that the city offers extensive business opportunities. Together with the city, he’s been working to promote growth right through the coldest season.

“We continue to have new development and new investment,” he said. “I think the city works well with the chamber of commerce and values that business sector. All of that contributes, as well, to a positive economic climate here in the city. We work hard at that.”

The effort is paying off. Fortis will be developing a $16 million building on city-owned land adjacent to the West Kootenay Regional Airport; this project is expected to create over 100 new employment positions. Additionally, the city has been installing full underground services to a nearby 37-acre parcel of land to encourage the development of a big-box retail centre. There has also been a major increase in home sales at a time of year when real estate typically slows down.

Business positive

The city prides itself on making the development approval process as efficient as possible and in being accessible for any inquiries. Council is continuing a tax exemption program for the refurbishment and expansion of existing businesses. A complement to commercial encouragement has been a focus on tourism and local quality of life. The Millenium Ponds project, the creation of a natural recreation area, will be completed in June of 2014. Malcolm said that it will add vitality and quality of life to the city in addition to being a big attraction. The ongoing Sculpture Walk program has also brought visitors to the area.

“I think the main challenge is one that really applies to the West Kootenays,” said Malcolm, regarding some of the difficulties of economic development in a smaller centre. “I think there’s a lack of image outside our region . . . We believe we’re an underserved retail market in the West Kootenay and so that’s what we see as our main constraint—having the national and the international retail sectors understand the opportunities that are available here.”

Opportunities ahead

The city of Castlegar rebranded several years ago, which Malcolm described as a successful and ongoing initiative.  The city is also working with a number of area groups, such as Invest Kootenay, to discuss promotion at a regional level. With its central location in the West Kootenay, Castlegar looks forward to continuing to grow into the future.

“I’m (excited about) just putting the opportunities here into play,” said Malcolm. “We have significant commercial available land that’s going to be a very major development when it comes through. We have a very supportive council for new economic development, along with other players such as the chamber of commerce that have been very willing and positive partners. I (anticipate) the fun of working more in partnership to see things happen.”