OP/ED: Slag to riches - the rush for jobs in the Boundary

By Mona Mattei

It’s hard to keep up with the news these days – from chemical leaks, missing people and drug busts over to the regional chamber initiative and new businesses being developed. Sometimes it’s hard to believe so much activity in such a small area, well population size anyway. What is clear, the Boundary is on an upswing.

 

Midway announced its new mill opportunity this month boding well to attracting new jobs and investment to their small town. Interfor rolled out their vision for a new sawmill and co-generation plant for Grand Forks, and Greenwood is turning slag to solar power. People’s eyes are flashing: jobs, jobs, jobs.

 

Sometimes one needs to take a moment and breathe. None of these projects is up and running yet. There are hurdles for every one of them. Midway needs investment and someone willing to run a mill without secure source of wood, Interfor needs BC Hydro to buy their power, and Greenwood’s dream is just in R & D phase. Exciting times, but this is where my yoga practice kicks in (o.k., when I practice, sigh,) and I breathe.

 

Business is a roller coaster and on the way up it moves slow and steady. Each of these opportunities needs to take the time to do it right. If it moves too fast or people start to pressure them to perform, it could fall apart. It could become the runaway coaster with screaming passengers.

 

Interfor will be facing off against strong environmentalists in their process – a hurdle that is a fierce one around here. In Greenwood, on the other hand, people want to know about dust control and noise problems. And in Midway, well they just need millions of dollars, no small feat.

 

So what can we do to help? We can assure our city administrations that we are supportive of the projects, handled with due care and diligence of course, and give them space to perform. We can find out more information about the projects. Or we can write a cheque to Boundary Wood Products. But any way you choose, we’ll need to wait for the fruits of their efforts. 

2011 is looking like a very busy and interesting year from this editor’s seat – stay tuned for all the new developments when they arrive.