The Fairview container port may prove to be a helpful asset for Northern BC communities hit hard by the pine beetle disaster of the last few years in our forestry. A study commissioned by the Northern Trust and funded by the Federal government will explore options as to how the shipping terminal in Prince Rupert may come to the assistance of those communities that have suffered from the ravaging of their forests.
Key to the possibilities will be those communities that are situated on the Northern CN rail or line or are within a three hour drive of that line, which will be moving freight to and from Prince Rupert in ever increasing amounts as the Container Terminal becomes fully functional, making use of that link may prove to be the most beneficial way to make something good come out of a economic disaster in Northern BC.
The Daily News examined the start up of the study and what its originators hope to achieve.
PORT MAY HAVE KEY ROLE TO PLAY FOR BEETLE-HIT AREAS
Study will look at ways container port may help B. C’s pine beetle-ravaged areas
By Leanne Ritchie
The Daily News
Friday July 20, 2007
Pages one and three
When it comes to the Fairview Container Terminal, the federal government is inviting the mountain pine beetle to get on board the train to economic development.
On Thursday, the feds announced $50,000 in funding toward a Northwest trade and Manufacturing Corridor Opportunity Study in order to help communities affected by the infestation of the mountain pine beetle build new business opportunities using the Fairview Container Terminal as “transformational infrastructure”.
“Communities are feeling the impact of the mountain pine beetle infestation today, and they will feel it for years to come,” said National Resources Minister Gary Lunn.
“Our Mountain Pine Beetle program is helping communities address short-term needs such as fire protection and we are also helping them address the long-term impacts by investing in efforts to broaden the economic foundation of these communities.”
The study, being organized through the Northern Trust, will identify competitive advantages of the new trade and transportation corridor from Prince George to the Fairview Container Terminal in Prince Rupert.
It will examine opportunities for those 16 communities along the rail line as well as those within a three hour trucking distance of the rail line, such as Stewart, Kitimat and Fort St. James.
It will also examine import opportunities, such as final assembly for manufacturing as well as export manufacturing that will add value to export from the region. In addition, the study will examine how to make the corridor attractive to new industry, reviewing options like free trade zones and increasing the land base outside of municipal boundaries for development.
“This new study is going to build on previous studies and analysis on the corridor and look at each community for potential manufacturing opportunities and then link those opportunities with the port and container transload facility in Prince George,” said Bryan Lockhart, chief financial officer for Northern Development.
“The study will present a compelling story for investment in communities along the corridor.”
There are 11 different funding partners involved in the study ranging from the Port of Prince Rupert to the Prince George Airport to the Edmonton Economic Development Commission.
It will be undertaken by Colledge Transportation Consulting of Vancouver in collaboration with the Economic Development Research Group of Boston and the Western Transportation Advisory Council (WESTAC.)
Results from the study are expected to be available later this fall.
Key to the possibilities will be those communities that are situated on the Northern CN rail or line or are within a three hour drive of that line, which will be moving freight to and from Prince Rupert in ever increasing amounts as the Container Terminal becomes fully functional, making use of that link may prove to be the most beneficial way to make something good come out of a economic disaster in Northern BC.
The Daily News examined the start up of the study and what its originators hope to achieve.
PORT MAY HAVE KEY ROLE TO PLAY FOR BEETLE-HIT AREAS
Study will look at ways container port may help B. C’s pine beetle-ravaged areas
By Leanne Ritchie
The Daily News
Friday July 20, 2007
Pages one and three
When it comes to the Fairview Container Terminal, the federal government is inviting the mountain pine beetle to get on board the train to economic development.
On Thursday, the feds announced $50,000 in funding toward a Northwest trade and Manufacturing Corridor Opportunity Study in order to help communities affected by the infestation of the mountain pine beetle build new business opportunities using the Fairview Container Terminal as “transformational infrastructure”.
“Communities are feeling the impact of the mountain pine beetle infestation today, and they will feel it for years to come,” said National Resources Minister Gary Lunn.
“Our Mountain Pine Beetle program is helping communities address short-term needs such as fire protection and we are also helping them address the long-term impacts by investing in efforts to broaden the economic foundation of these communities.”
The study, being organized through the Northern Trust, will identify competitive advantages of the new trade and transportation corridor from Prince George to the Fairview Container Terminal in Prince Rupert.
It will examine opportunities for those 16 communities along the rail line as well as those within a three hour trucking distance of the rail line, such as Stewart, Kitimat and Fort St. James.
It will also examine import opportunities, such as final assembly for manufacturing as well as export manufacturing that will add value to export from the region. In addition, the study will examine how to make the corridor attractive to new industry, reviewing options like free trade zones and increasing the land base outside of municipal boundaries for development.
“This new study is going to build on previous studies and analysis on the corridor and look at each community for potential manufacturing opportunities and then link those opportunities with the port and container transload facility in Prince George,” said Bryan Lockhart, chief financial officer for Northern Development.
“The study will present a compelling story for investment in communities along the corridor.”
There are 11 different funding partners involved in the study ranging from the Port of Prince Rupert to the Prince George Airport to the Edmonton Economic Development Commission.
It will be undertaken by Colledge Transportation Consulting of Vancouver in collaboration with the Economic Development Research Group of Boston and the Western Transportation Advisory Council (WESTAC.)
Results from the study are expected to be available later this fall.
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