The guru gives his views

While he may be still a little new to the job to be granted the title of guru, the Daily News found that the slug line for a story on economic development was too tempting.

Wednesday's paper features an interview with the newly promoted Chris Colussi, who has taken on the permanent duties of manager of the Prince Rupert and Port Edward Economic Development Corporation.

He originally was in charge on an interim basis when former manager (we'll pass on the guru thing here) Jim Rushton left for Maher Corporation last year; Mr. Colussi was apparently promoted to full time manager some time last year.

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The city launched a job search over the summer of 2007, looking for a visionary to lead Economic Development and ready to tackle a lengthy "to do" list. Mr. Colussi who wasn't too far away from the search committee, seems to have fit the requirements that the city had in mind for the position.

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Previously he had worked in the office for Rushton on a number of development files over the last two and half years or so.

As could be expected from someone who is there to boost the communities profile, he sees much in the way of opportunities for the North coast area, built on the always present excitement of the Fairview Container port.

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His thoughts were outlined on page on of the Wednesday paper. Scroll down and seek out now the knowledge of the guru!

Economic guru says region's stock is higher
By Leanne Ritchie
The Daily News
Wednesday, January 02, 2008

Pages one and five

The new manager of the Prince Rupert and Port Edward Economic Development Corporation (EDC) is a well-known face in the community.

Christopher Colussi, who was born and raised in Prince Rupert, has taken over the role at a time when he believes there are tremendous opportunities available for the new and existing businesses in his hometown.

"In the past three years, we have become a key entry point in Northern B.C. for people and goods," he said.

Colussi has been with the local EDC office for the past two and a half years and in that time he has seen the town grow and change with the opening of the Northlands Cruise Terminal in May 2004 and the Fairview Container Terminal this past October.

Together with the communities' existing infrastructure, these new additions position Prince Rupert to be part of the province's growth strategies for both tourism and the Asia Pacific Gateway, he said.

The provincial tourism strategy aims to double British Columbia's tourism revenues by 2015, and the Asia Pacific Gateway Strategy will increase B.C. container handling from two million TEUs in 2005 to nine million by 2020.

"All of a sudden Prince Rupert is not just going to be a container port but a hub for logistics," he said.

"We are looking to build on that."

Colussi, who graduated from the University of Northern B.C. with his Bachelor of Science degree, is also excited about the opportunities presented by the emerging wind energy sector on the North Coast.

There are currently several projects being proposed for onshore and offshore development as well as many companies exploring wind potential.

And he is looking forward to supporting existing businesses such as the seafood sector and forestry as they move to take advantage of the new markets and the new trade corridor available following the development of the Fairview Container Terminal.

This means exploring opportunities to move products in new ways and to new markets that were not there before, Colussi said.

Prince Rupert Mayor Herb Pond said Colussi is working on behalf of both the city and district and as such, has positioned his offices in city hall and out in Port Edward.

"We are very pleased with him. We find that in conversations he challenges us ... he's a local guy who understands our community and has a really good head for what he's doing.
"I'm extremely impressed with what he brings to the table," said Pond.