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ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT ENEWSLETTER |
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Keep a finger on Prince George's economic pulse. Read our quarterly Economic Development eNewsletter to learn about:
- New businesses joining the community.
- New and exciting developments and programs in the community.
- Important information about the latest economic issues, trends, and topics.
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VIDEO: ECONOMIC UPDATE - JANUARY - MARCH 2021 |
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Local Economic Statistics |
Every quarter, the Economic Development Division tracks year-to-date economic indicators to better understand the state of the Prince George economy. This video highlights year-to-date economic indicators up to and including the end of March 2021. These statistics are gathered from a variety of sources, including Statistics Canada, BC Northern Real Estate Board, Canada Housing and Mortgage Corporation, City of Prince George, and the Prince George Airport Authority.
If there are statistics not included in this update that you are interested in seeing on a monthly basis, please send your request to ecdev@princegeorge.ca. |
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BE A PART OF THE WORKFORCE SOLUTION: JOIN THIS WORKING GROUP |
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The development of five target industry clusters has been identified as a priority in the City of Prince George Economic Development Division's “Five-Year Economic Development Strategy”. In order to assist in the growth of each cluster and the overall economy, a skilled local workforce must be made readily available by aligning post-secondary and training programs with each industry's unique needs and coming up with other solutions for addressing workforce opportunities and challenges.
The Economic Development Division is facilitating the development of a quarterly Workforce and Skill Development Pathways Working Group to bring together educators, private-sector hiring managers, recruiters, workforce development practitioners, and business service organizations so that each cluster’s needs can be understood and solutions for providing a skilled workforce can be identified, developed, and executed by members of the Working Group.
If your business falls into the Forestry, Wood Products, and Bioproducts; Transportation, Warehousing, and E-Commerce; Manufacturing (Machinery, Chemical, and Food); Professional Services (Engineering, Environmental Services, and Resource Management); or Construction sectors or you represent a business service organization and would like to join the Working Group, please email Christina Doll, Workforce Development Officer at christina.doll@princegeorge.ca or 250-561-7633. |
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VIDEO: ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT STRATEGY 2020-2025 |
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2020-2025 Economic Development Strategy |
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The Economic Development Division is well into its 2020-2025 Economic Development Strategy. This strategy has been shaped by a rigorous data analysis and community engagement process.
It is industry cluster-driven and has a focus on entrepreneurship, promoting and developing place, prioritizing existing businesses, and matching and building skills with opportunities.
We have created a video that outlines our strategy. Watch it for insight into our plans for local economic development over the next few years.
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Every month, we select a business to feature in our Local Business Spotlight. Find out how operating in the city has helped Prince George’s homegrown enterprises succeed and pay them a visit to support the local economy. Here are the latest features. |
Ever since Kevin Pettersen was young, food has been one of his passions and a creative outlet for him. Over the years, he has discovered the same source of inspiration through business. In merging these two interests, Black Fox Flour was born.
Black Fox Flour is a family-owned entrepreneurial endeavour. Kevin and his two sons have been producing and selling freshly milled flour since the beginning of January, and interest in this product has taken off quite quickly.
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John Brink came to Canada in 1965 with $25.47 in his pocket and a dream to open a lumber mill. Ten years later, that dream came true in Prince George. Brink Forest Products opened its doors in 1975 at 2023 River Road, the location from which they still operate today.
Fast forward to the present, and Brink Forest Products has grown to employ over 400 people in northern British Columbia. Brink relies heavily on skilled trades in their operations, and the availability of a well-trained local workforce has fueled the company's growth.
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Excel Transportation currently operates a fleet of 36 trucks at a location in Prince George that has been strategically chosen for its close proximity to many of the company's largest customers.
Excel differentiates itself in the transportation industry through its innovative and sustainable logistical solutions to meet constantly changing demands, as well as through its leadership. Chief Executive Officer Annie Horning is one of the few female leaders in the industry. She works hard to grow the business and recognizes the importance of making use of local talent.
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The value of building permits issued in Prince George in 2020 remained close to the all-time annual record in spite of the economic uncertainty caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. Building permits for 2020 reached a total value of about $219 million, which is only less than two per cent lower than the annual record total of $223 million set in 2019.
Of these building permits, $50 million were for commercial developments, which are currently taking shape across the city. Every week we highlight one of these developments in our Investment Spotlight. For an inside look into why developers are choosing to invest in Prince George, read their stories in this ongoing listing of projects.
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THREE LOCAL COMPANIES WIN CONSULTING SERVICES VIA CONTEST |
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The City of Prince George and MNP are proud to have launched the Grow The North contest to help existing businesses grow, pivot, adapt, and thrive in challenging times.
On March 11th, five finalists pitched their business challenges and presented requests for support to the panelists who selected the top three winners.
The winner of the contest received 75 hours of MNP consulting time to apply to their business. Second and third place winners received 25 and 10 hours of consulting time respectively.
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COVID-19 RESOURCES FOR YOUR BUSINESS |
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The Economic Development Division has compiled a list of resources available to help you navigate the impacts of COVID-19 on your business in a central location on our website. Resources range from Federal and Provincial supports to banking and insurance. If you would like to speak with a member of the Economic Development team, email ecdev@princegeorge.ca or call 250-561-7633. |
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SUPPORT PG PROVIDES CENTRAL ACCESS TO COVID-19 RESOURCES |
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The Support PG website provides access to resources to assist your business with navigating the challenges of operating during COVID-19. In addition to a listing of up-to-date business resources, the website includes the 'Open Now' Directory, in which you can list your business and the services you're offering during COVID-19, and the PPE Directory, which offers a list of local businesses that provide PPE. The website also offers access to health and wellness updates from trusted organizations and health authorities. |
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PRINCE GEORGE IN THE NEWS |
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My Prince George Now (April 13) |
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Prince George Matters (April 8) |
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Prince George Daily News (March 5) |
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Prince George Citizen (February 25) |
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Prince George Citizen (February 19) |
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City of Prince George, 1100 Patricia Boulevard, Prince George, BC V2L 3V9
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#cityofpg #investpg #moveuppg |
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