Venture Kamloops, in partnership with the British Columbia Ministry of Jobs, Tourism and Innovation, hosted an incredibly successful forum with nine international Trade and Investment Representatives (TIRs) on Friday, May 27, 2011. The day-long forum at the Interior Savings Centre was a first for Kamloops, with over 65 companies and community stakeholders in attendance wanting to learn more about how to increase their overseas market. The afternoon session which served as an " international trade mission without leaving Kamloops" had an impressive 12 companies and community stakeholders participate in over 58 one-on-one meetings with the trade representatives.

"I learned a great deal and enjoyed the event thoroughly. It was an excellent opportunity to meet and spend the day with the Trade and Investment Reps and other Kamloops area businesses." said Chris Shubert, Senior Manager, Development & Operations – Ashcroft Terminal.

The representatives outlined their overseas services for B.C. businesses, offered advice on building networks in foreign markets, made key strategic connections with the local business community and became better educated on Kamloops and its investment opportunities.

"Currently, two of our primary objectives for our team at Trinity Post and Panel Inc., as a manufacturing company of prefabricated Log Post and Panel Homes in start up phase, is to seek out potential contacts and networks for the purpose of securing investment funds, and also to explore our future export possibilities. The T.I.R. Roadshow which was hosted by Venture Kamloops was an excellent fit. We were able to make initial contact with B.C.'s ministry of Tourism, Trade and Investment geographical representatives from China, Korea, Japan, India, Europe and Pacific Coast America. The key contacts made at this event have the potential of greatly assisting us as we move forward with our project." Gregg Thiessen, Trinity Post and Panel Inc.

The TIRs represent markets in West Coast USA, Japan, Korea, North, South & East China, India and Europe and their experience spans all industry sectors including forestry, minerals, tourism, high tech, clean tech and international education.

If there are any export ready Kamloops companies that were not able to attend the event but would still like to share their product information with the TIR’s contact Venture Kamloops at (250) 828-6818

Venture Kamloops has an exciting new marketing tool! A series of videos highlighting successful Kamloops Entrepreneurs representing key industries in our community. These are:
- Northern Trailer,
- NRI Distribution,
- Inland Glass and Aluminum Curtainwall Ltd.,
- Welcome Back MRI C& Pain Management Centre.

Each video highlights why Kamloops is a good location for Entreprenruers to be successful. Learn more about Kamloops by watching the video's located on our website. Watch for for furture videos promoting Kamloops as a great place to start, expand or move your buisness. http://www.venturekamloops.com/.

EDABC Conference

Venture Kamloops' Dan Sulz, Executive Director and Gregg Murray, Business Retention & Expansion Manger, recently attended the Economic Development Association of British Columbia (EDABC) Economic Development Conference held in Langley from June 5-7, 2011. This year's conference focused on providing participants with both skills and knowledge in order to meet the fundamental objective of strengthening the economies of their communities. The conference was also an excellent opportunity to network with colleagues and to discuss and share techniques on Economic Development best practices.

Highlight of the conference? VANOC CEO, John Furlong’s inspirational keynote speech: moving us to challenge traditional thinking, dig deeper and reach higher!

Kamloops & Area Sector Update - Mining

The mining sector is becoming a key economic driver for the city of Kamloops and region. The Kamloops area is currently home to 4 major operational mines, 2 major mines that are in the Environmental Assessment stage and 1 major mine that is undertaking a feasibility study.

Highland Valley copper is the largest copper/ molybdenum mine in Canada. HVC employs more than 800 people and they are one of the largest private employers in the interior.

New Gold Mine is currently in the construction phase and will be fully operational by the end of summer 2011. New gold will employ approximately 400 employees for the 17 year life span of the mine.

On top of these mines that are currently in operation there are currently 3 other major mines with in the interior that are looking to open and 2 major mines that are fully operational. These mines include:

TRU's House of Learning

Thompson Rivers University students have new place to study this year. The new 7,000 sq metre building was unveiled as the Brown Family House of Learning on May 26, 2011. Mark and Ellen Brown led the way with their contribution to name the new facility, The Brown Family House of Learning. Mark Brown, the President of Northern Trailer, and his wife Ellen made a pledge of $2 million to the TRU Foundation to support the construction of the House of Learning and for the continued growth of the university and for the support of students. “We know that education makes a difference in people’s lives and that TRU plays an important role in Kamloops,” said Mark Brown. “It is our hope that this gift to TRU will make a difference through education to many people in this community and in our region.” British Columbia’s leading benefactor for post-secondary education, Irving (Ike) K. Barber, also donated a gift of $1.5 million towards the construction of the House of Learning. The Brown Family House of Learning was only made possible with the strong community of supporters included Ike Barber, the Brown family and many other organizations whose support accented the funds received from the Provincial and Federal Governments.

The Brown Family House of Learning has gone for the gold in Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED), following construction guidelines to create an environmentally sustainable building. This House of Learning has a green roof, a living wall, water efficient landscaping and most of its lightning provided by natural light. The living wall grows hydroponically over a membrane that is also part of the building’s HVAC system. The plant’s natural processes of photosynthesis and transpiration refresh the building’s air quality by adding oxygen and humidity. In addition to its natural lighting and living wall, the Brown Family House of Learning won LEED credits for the 487 pine beetle logs forming the stunning roof in the Irving K Barber BC Centre, a lecture theatre designed in the style of a Secwepemc pit house. The benefits of the building will go beyond the environment and provide a new space for the Library, new faculty offices, the Aboriginal Education Centre, which includes space for First Nations business, technology, and leadership programs, and a full service Tim Horton’s. “Our government has invested in new research and training facilities to improve the quality of life for Canadians and set the foundation for economic growth” said Cathy McLeod, MP for Kamloops-Thompson-Cariboo, "This investment has created jobs for people, both now and in the future, and will continue to provide the facilities Thompson Rivers University needs to maintain its place as a vital part of our community." The campus’ new centre-piece will offer a haven for students to work, meet, eat lunch, research, and discuss assignments in a beautiful setting.

Key 20 year Kamloops Economic Indicators Now Available

The importance of key economic information is vital to any business in its current and long term planning. Often individuals are to too quick to judge the economic health of a community based only upon its short term results. To understand the true picture of economic data that is available, it if must be examined in a long term context. Recently Venture Kamloops, in partnership with Thompson Rivers University, MBA student Sara Cummings, compiled a database of over 22 key Kamloops economic indicators over a 20 year period. Some of the information includes, labour force activity, building permit construction values, business incorporations, tourism room revenues, and Kamloops business bankruptcies, just to name a few. The information has been graphed (when available) over a twenty year period and charted against 20 year averages. The information provides individuals with an accurate snap shot of how key economic indicators are doing against the communities 20 year average.

For more information visit the VK website at www.venturekamloops.com/informationcentre.htm

TRU’s New Law School’s Represents Landmark Partnership

On May 31, 2011 at the University of Calgary Murray Fraser Hall, representatives from University of Calgary (UofC) and Thompson Rivers University (TRU) held a ceremony to sign a official licensing agreement representing a landmark partnership between UofC and TRU. This agreement will result in the creation of Canada’s newest law school. Among the attendees were Lucas Alan Harrison, UofC provost and vice president; Uli Scheck, TRU provost and vice president; and Chris Axworthy, TRU’s founding dean of law.

Starting September 2011 TRU’s law school, the third in B.C., will offer over UofC’s curriculum, which falls under the broad heading of common law. Its focus on areas such as energy and environmental law correspond with the programs TRU wants to offer. TRU will also aim to develop a reputation for expertise in First Nations law, as stated in a story by Janet Steffanhegan of the Vancouver Sun in the May 26, 2011 online issue. The new law school hopes to alleviate the problem of the shortage of lawyers in smaller communities in hopes that having a law school in the Thompson Nicola Regional District will encourage articling students to stay in the community and possible remain with their articling firm or start their own firm which in turn will increase the community’s ability of serving the legal needs of individuals.

For the inaugural year, the new law students will be attending in the new Learning Centre at TRU, then for 2012/2013 and beyond, students will be educated in the $20 million newly renovated Old Main Building.

Old Main Revitalization 2012	Irving K Barber Centre

Venture Kamloops attending US Economic Development Conference

From July 19-22 Venture Kamloops will be attending the Pacific Northwest Economic Development Council (PNEDC) annual conference in Bend, Oregon.

PNEDC was founded in 1959 by a group of utilities, railroads, port districts, chambers of commerce and governments aimed to provide a forum for networking and training within the field of economic development. This mission remains today as the organization turns forty-four.

PNEDC’s goal is to forge stronger economic development relations in the Pacific Northwest, providing a forum for networking and training within the field of economic development. The Council is a Regional Economic Development Organization encompassing the entire Pacific Northwest Region including the States of Hawaii, Washington, Montana, Oregon, Alaska, Idaho and the Provinces of Alberta, British Columbia and the Yukon.

The conference will allow Venture Kamloops to learn about some of the hurdles and barriers that others communities in the Pacific Northwest have had with economic development and how they have been able to overcome them.

Watch for our next newsletter where we will have an article discussing some of the key topics covered at the conference.

Kamloops Tax Incentives
		Tax rate per $1000 assessed value

WCSG Business Opportunities - "Be Part of the Games"

The Western Canada Summer Games is a huge opportunity for local business:

*Estimated Economic Impact to Kamloops and surrounding are, $10million dollars
*Recognition throughout Western Canada
*A total of 2500 Athletes over 10 days
*Medical Staff, Volunteers, Directors and Participant Families will add up to 3000 people
*With the above numbers and dependant on level of participation you should receive a minumun 600,000 brand impressions

How do you tap into this? Click here for information or visit http://www.venturekamloops.com/news/events

Funding Programs

Canadian Innovation Commercial Program Forum

Venture Kamloops recently hosted the Canadian Innovation Commercialisation Program (CICP) Forum at the Kamloops Convention Centre on June 21.

The forum introduced the Government’s $40 million program that aims to promote innovation and support the development of small and medium enterprises in Canada. The Program targets innovation in four priority areas: environment, health, safety & security, and enabling technologies. The CICP forum also connected local businesses with the Office of Small and Medium Enterprises in order to bridge the pre-commercialization gap for their innovative products and services by:

*Awarding contracts to entrepreneurs with pre-commercial innovations

*Testing and providing feedback to these entrepreneurs on the performance of their products or services

*Providing innovators with the opportunity to enter the marketplace with a successful application of their new products and services

*Providing information on how to do business with the Government of Canada

Want to learn more about the CICP?

Visit www.buyandsell.gc.ca/innovation or call 1-866-602-0403

Targeted Skills Shortage Program - Grow your Employees Potential

The ASPECT Targeted Skills Shortage Program (TSSP) is focused on helping businesses and non profit organizations grow the potential of their low skilled employees by providing access to funded training to eligible staff.

How the ASPECT Targeted Skills Shortage Program Can Benefit Your Organization

*Training programs demonstrate your interest in your employees’ professional development or skill enhancement

*Employees realize you are investing in them, they reciprocate with loyalty

*Ongoing training helps to create the reputation of a great place to work and results in less absenteeism and a longer list of job applicants

*Knowledgeable employees make fewer mistakes

*Your customers should be working with trained individuals; skilled employees will impress customers to come back and utilize your services/products

*Training can increase the ability to adopt new technologies and methods

*Reduce employee turnover as trained employees can grow within your business

*Training builds a motivated and committed team. It also creates a pool of qualified replacements for employees who do leave

*Increase employee motivation, job satisfaction and morale among employees

As space is limited to 1,200 participants, don’t miss the chance to secure training opportunities for your eligible employees - enroll your organization in the ASPECT Targeted Skills Shortage Program today! You can enroll by contacting one of the service providers in your area

Venture Capital Program - Ministry of Small Business, Technology and Economic Development

Venture Capital Program encourages investors to make equity capital investments in eligible small businesses that enhance and diversify the provincial economy. In turn, the Province provides a 30 per cent tax credit to those (individuals and corporations) who invest in eligible small businesses. Ultimately, access to venture capital allows these businesses to expand their operations both domestically and in a global marketplace.

Further information on the Venture Capital Program is available at: www.equitycapital.gov.bc.ca or by calling 1-800-665-6597.