The Fairview Container project will be sending spin off benefits much farther than just Prince Rupert and Port Edward. One of the key aspects to the development on the Prince Rupert waterfront is the plan to build an inland port in the Northern interiors largest city.
Designed to move air, sea and land cargo the cargo port in Prince George will be a major portion of the transportation process from the Midwest US through to Prince Rupert and beyond. The inland port would seem to promises some long term jobs for the Prince George area, which is good news for that part of the province. But could be one of those news items that leaves the locals in Prince Rupert wondering about the long term and permanent job opportunities to be made available here.
From the services of the Prince George Citizen, The Daily news provided details of the Prince George vision of the project, as relayed through the events of last weeks UBCM.
PG LOOKS SET TO REAP PORT SPIN OFF
The Daily News Wire Service
Monday, October 30, 2006
Pages One and Three
PRINCE GEORGE—Getting an inland port established in Prince George is on the provincial government’s agenda. Premier Gordon Campbell said in a speech to the Union of British Columbia Municipalities convention on Friday.
“We will work with Prince George to establish a magnificent state-of-the-art inland port that moves air, sea and land cargo through to Asia and the North American markets in record time.”
Campbell made the reference while announcing a “Pacific leadership agenda,” a broad- based strategy that includes building a new relationship for First Nations and closing the gaps in health, housing, education and economic opportunities.
Part of that agenda includes improving competitiveness and taking advantage of B. C.’s position as Canada’s Pacific province to cash in on the rapid economic growth of Asia, led by China.
“The world won’t wait for us. We can’t wait for Canada. It’s time for us to lead,” Campbell said. “We will work with the communities in the Northwest who have established a truly integrated port for millions of TEU’s (twenty foot equivalent units) that will be developed through public-private partnership in the years ahead.”
Mayor Colin Kinsley said he found Campbell’s comments encouraging.
”It sends out a very strong message that he agrees with everything that we’re trying to do as we promote Prince George, the work we’ve done with Prince Rupert on containerization, knowing that sometimes in the near future. Prince George will benefit as well,” he said.
While it’s expected an inland port will be primarily a private sector venture, Kinsley said the province could help in terms of funding for such projects as the Cameron Street Bridge, especially if CN decides to build a port at its First Avenue rail yard.
“But it’s too early to say,” he said. “I think it’s suffice to say it was good news for the premier to point that out, and it just lends a whole bunch of credibility to what we’ve been trying to do.”
Prince George-Omineca MLA John Rustad said the province’s role amounts to setting the environment that encourages investment in such a facility.
“We’re looking at inland container studies and trying to lay the groundwork so that it makes it easier for people to make investment decisions,” he said.
Campbell also said the government will work with Kamloops and Ashcroft to develop a southern interior inland port, which would handle cargo passing through the Port of Vancouver.
(Prince George Citizen)
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