Courting China

The Creston Valley’s economic future looks promising

Countless, closely-packed rows of greenhouses near Beijing, China, are visible through the window of a speeding bullet train. — Larry J. Binks photo

Growth in and around Creston, B.C., is gaining momentum, and 2015 and 2016 could be years of significant economic advancement for the area. Small family businesses like Bad Duck Caramel and Tabletree Juice are gaining international recognition, while the regional district is courting foreign investors for various unspecified projects in the Creston Valley.

On June 23, Larry J. Binks, Area C regional director, returned from a trip to China where he had spent 10 days in cities including Qingdao (pronounced “chingdow”) and Beijing as the guest of potential investors. He was provided with a couple of interpreters and a driver, and met with city dignitaries, agriculture ministers and business people. Apparently, the investors are looking to put $50 million into the Creston Valley in the next year or so.

“The planning has been going on for a year and a half,” Binks said, “and the relationship has matured to the point where they invited me to meet with them on their home turf.”

Though nothing has been finalized as yet, Binks said that the indications are very positive. He will be making another trip to China in late September to speak to people at the next level of the decision-making process.