An economic development meeting held in Valemount last Monday could result in positive progress for the area, according to Max Lentz, Thompson-Nicola Regional District director for Thompson Headwaters (Area B - Blue River/Avola).
“We talked about our visions for the North Thompson and Robson valleys, “said Lentz. “I had a good feeling that government is at least willing to look and new and innovative ways to assist.”
Kamloops-Thompson-Cariboo M.P. Cathy McLeod along with B.C. Solicitor-general Shirley Bond and Minister of Jobs and Tourism Pat Bell hosted the roundtable forum.
Much of the representation appeared to be from the Valemount area. However, there also were people present from the Village of McBride and Fraser-Fort George Regional District. Lentz was there representing the TNRD while Chief Nathan Matthew was there for Simpcw First Nation. Also present were several businesspeople from the Valley. No one from District of Clearwater attended.
Topics covered included improving transportation by four-laning the highway, upgrading Internet access, a natural gas pipeline for the Valley, and looped, three-phase electric power for industry.
Also discussed was possible federal/provincial assistance to finance business in rural areas. At present, entrepreneurs often find it difficult to borrow money at low interest - if they can find a lender at all, said Lentz.
Representatives from a geothermal power company talked about various roadblocks they’ve run into while trying to get their project underway.
Lentz told the meeting about some progress that’s been made in the Avola/Blue River area, such as installing high speed Internet. He also mentioned that Telus plans to extend cellphone service to cover the gap from Vavenby to Blue River soon.
The meeting built on several community-to-community forums held over the last year with Simpcw First Nation and various municipal and regional governments, he said.
The main difference was the level of involvement by the federal M.P. and the provincial cabinet ministers.
“It was a step in the right direction, but people in the North Thompson Valley and Robson Valley need to organize themselves to keep things going,” said the TNRD director.
The original focus of the meeting had been to help Valemount but it became clear that any meaningful planning would have to involve more of the region, said M.P. Cathy McLeod.
That community has been particularly hard hit by the recession, she felt.
“Almost everyone there spoke of the need and the strength of working together,” she said. “Each community has its specialty, but we need to work cooperatively if we’re going to diversify into things like tourism.”