April 24, 2008 VK's Newest BOD member
April 23, 2008 New Director/Officer for VK
April 2, 2008 VK BOD Member receives Award
March 25, 2008 New Gold's Afton Mine partners with Kamloops First Nations Group
January 9, 2008 Venture Kamloops Hires New CEO
May 6, 2008 Attract, Retain, Engage Worker Tool-kit Workshop
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"The opportunity exists to develop an inland container facility in Kamloops," states a recently released study by the Advanced Technology Centre of Thompson Rivers University and Venture Kamloops. The report entitled "Opportunity Assessment for an Inland Intermodal Container Facility in Kamloops" was presented on October 2nd to a group of over 65 people at the Interior Savings Centre. Containers pass through Kamloops to North American and AsianMarkets via the Ports of Vancouverand Prince Rupert.
Containers pass through Kamloops to North American and AsianMarkets via the Ports of Vancouverand Prince Rupert.
Kamloops' highway and rail network currently provide excellent service, access and intermodal linkages for the transportation of lumber, pulp and finished goods to both domestic and international markets.
The research found that there is a solid opportunity for an inland intermodal container facility in Kamloops and there are a number of possible locations for such a facility in Kamloops. Based on research findings and current reload activities in Kamloops, the best opportunity would be for a mixed-use facility.
This mixed-use facility would include lumber reloading from truck-to-rail car for North American markets, and load lumber into containers for export markets through the ports of Vancouver and Prince Rupert.
Usually intermodal facilities on their own are not high generators of employment, but providing value-added services at the facility could generate employment and attract larger export oriented manufacturers. While the objective of Venture Kamloops was to investigate the opportunity, industry partners will actually develop the opportunity.
Currently, Venture Kamloops is forming an industry steering group of community leaders and stakeholders to plan, partner and promote the inland intermodal container facility in Kamloops.
To view the complete report visit www.venturekamloops.com/researchstudies.htm
The project was completed with funding assistance from the Advanced Technology Centre - Thompson Rivers University, Service Canada and the Kamloops Indian Band.
Sun Rivers Resort Community, City of Kamloops and We Care Home Health Services are the first corporate partners recognized as an official supporter of Kamloops leading edge economic development office.
Anita Grover, EconomicDevelopment Manager
Businesses have a new opportunity to join forces and partner resources with Venture Kamloops in promoting and strengthening our community. "The funds generated will be reinvested back into the community by leveraging existing economic development and marketing activities," said Anita Grover, economic development manager.
Corporate Partnerships are available in three levels: Tournament Gold ($1,000 annually), Tournament Silver ($500) and Tournament Bronze ($250). The Partnerships will run from October 1, 2006 until September 31, 2007.
Benefits of the Partnership can include: invitation to a special appreciation mixer to be held in a corporate box during a Kamloops Blazers game, a feature story in the Venture Kamloops Economic Development Newsletter, advanced registration to all Venture Kamloops workshops and events, your company logo and information on the Venture Kamloops website, and recognition as an official supporter of Kamloops leading edge economic development office.
To register as a Venture Kamloops Corporate Partner, visit the Venture Kamloops Partners or contact Cindy Dueck at 250-828-6818
Since signing the business exchange protocol agreement with Changing, District of Beijing, China in 2005, Venture Kamloops has expedited the sales of timber, value added ginseng products, and attracted numerous investors to Kamloops. Jeff Putnam - CEO, Venture Kamloops
The international trade between Kamloops and China is gaining momentum," says Venture Kamloops CEO, Jeff Putnam.
In October Venture Kamloops toured with Thompson Rivers University's International Education, Associate V.P., Cyndi McLeod and connected with investors in Beijing, Tianjin and Chengdu. Over the last year we have worked with a number of import and export businesses providing market development support and web-based export trade resources. Most importantly we have introduced investors to wood suppliers and manufacturers in the Kamloops region," says Putnam. Investor meetings in China were focused on enhancing ginseng trade with Kamloops as well as promoting TRU, and presenting commercial and residential real estate opportunities in Kamloops. In December of 2005, Venture Kamloops initiated its international trade mandate by presenting to a sold-out workshop on doing business in China. The workshop delivered best business practices on trade opportunities with China utilizing immigration law and practices to attract new investors to the Kamloops region. Visit China trade resources
Over the last year we have worked with a number of import and export businesses providing market development support and web-based export trade resources. Most importantly we have introduced investors to wood suppliers and manufacturers in the Kamloops region," says Putnam.
Investor meetings in China were focused on enhancing ginseng trade with Kamloops as well as promoting TRU, and presenting commercial and residential real estate opportunities in Kamloops.
In December of 2005, Venture Kamloops initiated its international trade mandate by presenting to a sold-out workshop on doing business in China.
The workshop delivered best business practices on trade opportunities with China utilizing immigration law and practices to attract new investors to the Kamloops region.
Visit China trade resources
Jack Mendez, owner of Top 40 Woodworks started his cabinet making business 14 years ago with a 3-man crew. He is now expanding his shop to a 62,000 square foot manufacturing and assembly facility employing 74 trades' people.
"Investing upwards of $2 million in equipment, computer controlled machinery and upgrading our building has given us room for multiple parallel assembly lines. It will boost production to an anticipated $8 million in annual sales," states Kelly Glanzer, Marketing and Projects Manager.
An on-line production and assembly schedule implemented by Glanzer enhances efficiencies and builds capacity for the business.
By diversifying into institutional, commercial and residential markets, Top 40 Woodworks stickhandles through the peaks and valleys of the building industry.
With strong economic growth in the housing and renovations sectors, a $42 billion industry in Canada, the Kamloops customized cabinet manufacturer restructured to create a new company - Urban Kitchens by Top 40. This new turnkey operation opens the door for possible future dealerships throughout the interior to supply design build cabinetry, countertops and closet systems.
"Locating in Kamloops provided us a transportation and freight advantage," says Glanzer. "We are very central and able to receive overnight delivery from our supplier network in western Canada. We get just-in-time and overnight delivery from Edmonton, Calgary, and Vancouver.
Top 40 Woodworks is located just minutes from the Trans Canada Highway. Freight trucks stop, unload, and then continue to Vancouver.
"If there were a rail spur off the CP line, it would make logistical sense for our suppliers to establish a reload facility in Kamloops as well," said Glanzer. "There is a strong business case to think about using this location as a central hub to supply the Southern Interior, Okanagan and Cariboo markets."
The quality of life attributes in Kamloops plays a key role in attracting top talent. Recently Top 40 Woodworks hired new employees from Ontario, Alberta, Prince Rupert and Vancouver. People are becoming more aware how Kamloops' residents live large and pay less.
To date, the total investment at Sun Peaks Resort has exceeded $535 million CDN in the past 15 years - a very significant figure for the total building activity in the Thompson-Nicola Valley Regional District.
The mountain resort continues to expand and now boasts a seasonal population of 500 residents, over 6,000 tourist beds and 300,000 annual ski & snowboard visitors. For more information, visit www.sunpeaksresort.com
The economic impact, summarized by BC STATS Input-Output model, indicates the impact that can be expected from a given economic or development activity.
In the case of Sun Peaks Resort Development, we can project a ripple effect to spur 5,400 full-time equivalents (FTE). This includes 3,200 direct and 2,200 indirect and induced person years of employment gained in the local economy.
Email industry updates and upcoming events to michael@venturekamloops.comVenture Kamloops TeamJeff Putnam, CEOAnita Grover, Economic Development ManagerMichael Eibl, Manager, New BusinessWendy Snelling, BusinessCARE ManagerCindy Dueck, Office Administrator
Visit: www.venturekamloops.com
Venture Kamloops297 First AvenueKamloops, BC V2C 3J3Tel: 250.828.6818Fax: 250.828.7164Toll Free: 1.888.526.5667
