The growing list of good things on the horizon in Burns Lake is certainly something to be proud of. After a rough start to 2012 due to the Babine Forest Products tragedy, it is great to see so many positive things now happening in our community.
To name just a few; the Burns Lake Incentive Program, also known as BLIP, is set to launch their coupon book in the next few weeks, so I really hope people shop local and support the initiative.
There was the Feb. 10, 2012 Jobs Fair organized by the Village of Burns Lake and the Regional District of Bulkley Nechako in conjunction with the province and the College of New Caledonia Career (CNC) and Jobs Fair was held last week.
By all accounts both of the jobs fairs were successful in finding locals employment or training opportunities.
If you missed the CNC Career and Jobs Fair last week, you really missed a great opportunity to see the vast array of career choices there is in the North, as well as across B.C.
Lake Babine Nation is also holding their second annual Health and Career Fair today at the Margaret Patrick Memorial Hall. There is scheduled to be about 25 booths and it runs until 2 p.m.
Mining is an industry that is booming in the North right now. You only had to attend either of the local job fairs that have been held to see how many opportunities there are in the mining industry.
The news from Hampton Affiliates also seems to be very positive, deciding which machinery to install in a new sawmill and drawing up plans certainly sounds like the rebuild will go ahead, if everything falls into place.
Let’s just hope that the WorkSafe B.C. investigation doesn’t take too long to wrap up so that things can move forward.
In saying that however, we still need to be patient and understand that these things take time.
Either at the end of this month, or very early in April we can also expect a decision from the province about the fibre supply issues.
This is a decision that Hampton Affiliates is also waiting for.
Another positive economic development for the community is the reopening of Sheraton Holdings Ltd.
Not only does this provide more employment opportunities in the local area, but it will also boost the profits of the community owned company. After more than a year shut down it is great to see that the mill is back up and running again and hopefully turning a profit for the community.
If Aspenware Inc. do decide to build a plant in Burns Lake that would be the cherry on top of the cake. Local Miles Fuller estimates that a plant could result in up to 120 jobs for the local area.
I really believe that when one door closes, a new door opens and I think Burns Lake is proof of that.