Castlegar News 1989 Review, April 16, 1989 Castlegar & District Aquatic Centre 2101-6th Ave., Castlegar, B.C. VIN 3B2 Purchase a brick inscription Your Aquatic Centre — a facility for all ages. For $35.00, your name or message will be i scribed ona brick which will be placed, at random, on the walls of the Aquatic Centre." Buy one for your children, your parents, your friends, your employees, yourself. The tax deductible price of $35.00 makes gift giving easy and unique. Keep Your ‘Piece of Mind by Purchasing A Tax Deductible Brick tor Yourself or a Friend A Unique and Timeless Gift Idea. Program ends June 30. PURCHASER NAME ADDRESS TELEPHONE BRICK INSCRIPTIC CHARACTERS RICK BRICK 2 After 12. years of business in Castlegar, Tom and David Ogiow have opened a second store in Grand Forks. ‘Ogiow’s Paint and watt Coverings in Grand Forks, they say, will be managed under the ~ fied,” pricing. store, building its reputation on selling top-quality products. and Oglow’s opens second storein Grand Forks offering knowledgeable and fast service combined with competitive Because paint, and-window~ blinds are-our-only~— and~ordered—waltcoverings—and business, we want you to be satis says Tom Oglow. ‘‘After same conditions as.the Castlegar alll, we want you back again for your future decorating needs “We're serious about quality Oglow's Paint and Wallcoverings Ltd. has opened anew store in Grand Forks (above). Continuing a tradition $1 top-notch service familiar to customers of Oglow’s Castlegar store will be employees such as Irene Volimin (right). Staff at Selkirk College's West Kootenay Enterprise Development Centre in Castlegar are busier than-ever with activity last year up 30 10 40 per cent over the previous year, says Doug Glover, the centre's director. Glover says the centre averaged between 40 and 50 clients month last year. The centre had 63 new business inquiries from April to the end of November 1988, During the same time, 18 full time jobs and 15 permanent part-time positions were created in the region The Enterprise Development Centre provides support services of individuals in their efforts 10. start *small business, The centre also assists established businesses in overcoming difficulties and provides entrepreneurs. with the knowledge to develop successful business enterprises: The centre has a working relationship with groups such as the Community Futures Committee, chambers of commerce, regional districts and development boards. The centre is staffed ‘by Glover and Fae Lee, ad ministrative assistant The resources of the West Kootenay Enterprise Development Centre are available to those thinking about going into business, new business owners, businesses ex periencing difficulties, those seeking sources of funding and assistance, inventors and innovators, those needing a comprehensive business library, individuals requiring training to improve business skills, and local economic development agencies The centre helps in consulting and counselling and of fers secretarial assistance as well as library services. The centre has an extensive business libraty and information resources along with a wide selection of video tapes on business subjects Last June, the development\ centre expanded its business research library. The centre has increased- the awareness of information in the resource centre, but wants to increase it even more. The tibrary offers video and-hard copy information on a walk-in user basis. However, the material cannot be signed out Leesays the centre istrying to get existing businesses to recognize that they can improve by using some of the miaterialinthe library. The library isthe largest ofits kind in you should be too."* First_opened_in_1977, Oglow's has continued to offer General wallcovering Paint products as well as instock louvre drape window blinds. Oglow’s understands the product needs of homeowners, businesses and commercial and industrial users of paints. Do You Know Us? INLAND USE YOUR MAINTENANCE DOLLAR WISELY! Our superior commercial/industrial cleaning products are available to the general public at very competitive prices. We have for you: Hot Tub Chemicals Cleaners Degreasers Germicides Strippers Floor Coatings Disinfectants Glass Cleaners Laundry and Dish Soap Hand Cleaners Vacuums + ++ + +e EF +t et Ot Carpet Care Products Washroom & Odour Control Products Specialty Chemicals Carpet Cleaners Paper and Wiping Products Towels and Tissue Squeegees and Mops Brushes and Brooms And tots More! We Supply Disposable Glasses and Dishes for Weddings & Banquets Our industrial strength cleaners get the job done right the first time & save you money in the process. So come on over and... TALK DIRTY TO US! INLAND Chamber helps improve quality of life The underlying purpose of any chamber of commerce is to promote and improve trade, commerce and the economic and human weitere of the people.in the. The € astlegar C panber ‘of Com- merce attempts to achieve this purpose in two ways. Fhe first; and-certainly the most time consuming, is through direct promotion of the tourist indus try. Most of the chamber’s members are involved with tourism, ‘some direc tly, such as the hospitality industry and some indirectly, such as those businesses providing goods and ser vices to the hospitality industry. For that reason the chamber’s emphasis for direct promotion of trade and com- merce has been in tourism The second way in which the cham: the Kootenays The development centre, which serves an area from Nakusp to Traitand Kaslo to Beaverdell (including Riondel and Crawford Bay), also does pre-screening for the Com munity Futures Self Employment Incentive grants through Employment and Immigration Canada “We help them (applicants) to put their act together before theygo to Community Futures,” The centre also assists people with franchises, buyouts and selling businesses, feasibility studies and consulting for Glover says. problem businesses. But one-to-one counselling is the biggest part of the business, which includes anti-bankruptcy accounts coun: selling. By offering this type of counselling, Glover says the centre is filling a void in the marketplace. This service has been offered for the past three years. Glover says an increasing number of people are being referred from banks in the Kootenays “There is an increasing awareness of the office being here to assist,”’ he says. Referrals come from accountants and banks. Clients can discuss their problems openly and confidentially RESOURCE FOR at Selkirk College's West ind WKEDC director Doug Glover display atthe centre's library. The centre also two of the many books and has a wide selection of video tapes on business subjects. “More often than not they solve their own problems,” Glover adds There are 17 enterprise development. centres throughout the province, including centres at the Univer sity of British Columbia, Simon Fraser University and University of Victoria The centre in Castlegar charges a nominal fee for con sulting services. The first hour is free and the cost is $20 per hour for additional hours Lee screens all clients before they consult with Glover in order to give them the best value for their time “Twenty dollars is peanuts," Lee says, adding that most professionals charge $60 per hour and up for their ser vices. Castlegar News 1989 Review April 16, 1989 The reason lor char ging lees at all iy because of the cen tre’s mandate to become self-supporting. The fees have been in place since last Septeniber, but many’of the centre's servicesiare still free The Enterprise Development Centre does not come between aclientand his professional “If they have an accountant, we advise them Lo go see their accountant, "? Glover says. **If they do come to us, itis with the blessing of an accountant When people with new inventions come to see Glover, he helps them with the process but prefers to put then in touch with a legal firm that has more expertise in that area The Enterprise Development Cenire is also working on some new programs ‘One new program being developed is the Owner Development Program. The centre has hired Rick Docksteader, a client adviser and accountant, to bean ad: viser for the program which will be run in Nelson. The cen tre is.in the process of selling 30 seats for the 10-month program. The program is an effort to get the owner manager to improve his skills: The program will be conduc- ted'mostly in the evenings The centre is also starting a series of seminars for home-based businesses in the area, Glover has been engaged by the Ministry of Regional Development to han- dle cight seminars in the Central Kootenay-Kootenay Boundary area for home-based businesses. The seminars will be held either Saturdays or Friday nights and Saturday mornings. The seminars will be held at the request of interested people in Castlegar, Nelson, Trail, Nakusp, Grand Forks, Slocan (including Silverton and New Denver) and Greenwood-Midway-Rock Creek wherever there are a minimum of 25 interested people and no more than 40. KREDA createsjobs Since its inception in 1985, the Kootenay Regional Employment Development Association (KREDA) has ap- proved investments im excess of $1 million and created 342 jobs in the Central Kootenay region “While the group has hada significant impact in terms of employment, public awareness is the key to creating even more jobs in the area,”’ said Wayne Schweitzer, manager of KREDA which is funded through.the Community Futures Program of Employment and Immigration Canada “Every new or expanding business should be aware of this program," Schweitzer says. ‘*While we don't compete with conventional lenders, there is a definite need for the type of financing we can provide.” KREDA chairman Jim Wood indicated that directors living in specific communities can best identify their areas’ needs and they should take every opportunity to make the public aware of the program At its annual general meeting in March, KREDA members elected the following directors for the coming year Wood, chairman (representing the Slocan Valley to Silverton); Barb Tonnellier, vice chairman (Nelson area); Bruce McCabe, treasurer (Nelson areay; Bob Grittittr, secretary (Creston area); Helena White (Creston area); Mike Fraitz! (Nakusp area); George Mclvor (Castlegar area); Dale Nielsen (Castlegar area); and P*nina Shames (Nelson area). “Over the past year, the framework for a close working relationship with the Commynity Futures Com mittee has been established,"’ Wood says “In order to ensure that our program achieves the highest possible impact on the entire region, we are com: mitted to strengthing that relationship. | believe that, bet ween our organizations, there exists a group of dedicated individuals who have the skills and ingenuity to make the Central Kootenay region an example for others to follow Public awareness of the programs offered Must be one of our primary objectives in future years. We have the ability. to assist small business, to encourage job creation, and to help diversify the region’s economy. It’s important that anyone planning to start a new business or wishing to expand an existing business be aware of the services we of fer.” Program changes this year have resulted in our rE raving” Kootenay region, “Starting Feb. 1, 1988, Kreda's lending limit was increased io $75,000 per business. This increased limit has helped us to participate in assisting businesses such as Zander Meats in Creston, Cooperwerks in Nelson, and Silver Ridge Resources in Slocan. Kreda’s participation in the Self Em- ployment Incentive (SEL) program this year has been very successful."" significant impact on the Central — Schweitzer says in his arinual report The coming year should see at least 100 more jobs created, he says. At the present time, KREDA has a full- time client base of 96 businesses. Schweitzer says that although KREDA has experien- ced many successes, there is still much more it can do. There are a substantial amount of investment dollars available to us, and | believe no other area is more deserving than the Central Kootenay, “The development of stable employment and a diversified regional economy are achievable goals. We have the resources and the people at our disposal to make these goals a reality. Working together towards a common end will allow us to have a real impact on this region.” he says. where the environment is clean and healthy “Greater British-Columbia-for-almost 100 year thanks to a billion dollars Greater Trail is evolving into a model industrial centre ready to meet the chattenges of the next century.” . THE RENAISSANCE OF GREATER TRAIL Greater Trail has been an industrial centre in British Colum- bia for.almost 100 years. Now, thanks to a billion dollars of new investment, Greater Trail is evolving into a model centre ready ___ to meet the challenge of the next century. A progressive centre Trail has been an industrial centre in Now s of new investment, SUPPORTING NEW INDUSTRY sulting company where the in New industry, large or small, need not worry about support services. Greater Trail already has the machine shops, plastic motor re-winding, and steel fabrication shops custom foundry. Technical support is available through Comin _ce's-Research and Development Centre and engineering con But support for new industry is not confined to infrastructure and even a The 1980’s have brought the industrial transformation of Cominco to the cleanest, most modern, efficient and cost-effective plants of their type in the world! The Transformation is Dramatically Re- VION TROs, ey oe 2 4 Oveqa 8" ber achieves its purposes is by making representations to various levels of governments on issues that affect the business community. This small ‘‘p political activity should be considered separately from the chamber’s efforts in business promotien but is, neverthe- less, an important role for the cham ber As a resident of Castlegar and area, it is important for you to know that Castlegar is an attractive place to live, work and raise a family. The chamber works to improve the quality of life in Castlegar and area. Through a dynamic and progressive ALWAYS HELPFUL...C. Chamber of C: Bev Kennedy says drop by the chamber office if you want tourism information about the West Kootenay. chamber of commerce, Castlegar can grow and attract new businesses, resi dents and visitors. New people means new ideas and new energy. All orgarfizations need new people to keep them. progressive and responsive to the needs of the community The Castlegar Chamber of Com merce needs you to help the chamber remain progressive, responsible and effective. An effective chamber governments and other organizations means will respond to its ideas and sugges tions Bev Kennedy, Castlegar Chamber of Commerce manager, looks forward to helping you. The chamber staff gives information and direction to local resi dents and tourists. Thhe staff loves to have visitors and looks forward to people dropping by the chamber of rse, and where the outlook is global Greater Trail's strategic location on the U.S. border coupled with reduced trade restrictions are generating new investment possibilities. Greater Trail has the inexpensive energy and sup- porting infrastructure to accommodate industry large and small INDUSTRIAL DIVERSIFICA TION and other hard services alone. Existing industry and local gover nment genuinely welcome new industries Greater Trail has always attracted a loyal and highly skilled labour force. In recent years industrial modernization and ex pansion involving technologically advanced processes have stimulated the evolution of an even more educated and highly trained worktorce. shaping the Community! + Even more highly trained & educated workforce + Income now 23% * Virtual elimination of smoke ¢Community emphasis on beautification + Positive attitudes + Strong civic leadership + Optimism % above national average + Retail sales now 8% above national average WHO WE ARE social welfare and The Castlegar Chamber of Commerce is. a voluntary association of people in the Castlegar area who want to promote and develop the economic, resources of Castlegar and the surrounding distriot. Our Organization There are 16 Directors, specific task or committee. Elections are for one year terms and are held in October. The Annual General Meeting is held each year. civic and agenda. Directors meet every two weeks and the various committees or task groups meet as required. Luncheon meetings for the general public and membership are held once per month. Business of the Chamber as well as guest speakers are on the each with a DIRECTORS: E. Turta, J. Craig, D. Mills, L. Renwick, J. Jenner, D. Fergusson, J. Parkin, F. Parker, R. Bystrom, G. Hoodicoff, M. Stelck, B. Loewen, L. Andreashuk, D. Nielsen, P. Richards. While Cominco has been primarily a base metal producer, there ‘has always been the sear- ch for new business opportunities. Today its product lines range from base metals and high purity metals to chemicals. Recently completed was a $6 million plant to produce germanium. and a new plant to produce indium. Industrial diversification has also come in the form of a new zinc alloy facility to service the Asian die-casting industry and a $14 million plant to provide the base material for a “super wood preservative And it is not just Cominco making the in- vestments. Airco has become a new corporate citizen by constructing a $48 million air separation plant to provide industrial gases to local as well as export customers. Trimac Transportation Systems invested ina multi-million dollar facility which will further improve the movement of products in and out of Greater Trail. The most recent corporate citizen is John son-Matthey, a world leader in precious metal refining and high technology products HEALTH CARE The Trail Regional Hospital is the largest public general hospital in south-east British Columbia. It is Greater Trail's second largest employer and provides a wide range of general and specialty services. Also, there is the Mater Misericordiae Hospital, several Public Health units, a mental health centre and numerous private clinics. Greater Trail enjoys the benefits of a superb healthcare system Public institutions, such as Selkirk College in the area provide basic education and vocational training opportunities Both union and non-union companies operate here. The area is characterized as having mature and stable labour relations + Investment interest THE GOOD LIFE — LOCAL AMENITIES Living your lifestyle in Greater Trail is a matter of choice, not necessity The performing arts are enthusiastically supported. Each year a full program of professional performances are staged in Trail's theatre. Sufficient support is also provided for several local theatre companies and a light opera company The visual arts are firmly established in the area with a large number of professional and amateur painters, some of whom are achieving recognition in urban centres throughout Canada and the United States. Related to these are a group of weavers who are similarly making a name for themselves outside the area SPORTS AND RECREATION Greater Trail is renowned for its sports and recreation facilities. Numerous championship events are hosted each year, from recreational jlournaments to world-class events Then there are the mountains for hiking and skiing: numerous lakes for boating, swimming and relaxing. One should not forget the mighty Columbia River cast your line and catch a fish or just go tor a relaxing stroll through one of the rivertront parks Each year various festivals are organized for locals and visitors alike. May Days in the Beaver Valley, a Mountain Music Festival, Silver City Days that toast the rich Italian heritage of Trail, Golden City Days that celebrates Rossland’s mining heyday and the fun-filled winter carnival “The moment you make a decision to take a closer look at Greater Trail and explore the potential for investment, we are ready to ee assist you. ”” * Mayor, City Hall, 1394 Pine Ave., Trail, B.C. VIR 4E6. (604) 364-1262. Fox (604) 364-0830 CASTLEGAR Chamber of Commerce TRAVEL “We Have a Cleaner Idea” Phone 352-5305 612 Lakeside Dr., Nelson (near the Airport) Monday to Friday, 8 to 1281 to 5 The moment you make the decision to take a closer look at Greater Trail and explore the potential for investment, we are ready to assist you in . every detail, whatever the size of your business venture. You will find us co © Economic Development , Department, operative, enthusiastic, and wishing to be as helpful as it is possible for us Boundary, 1159 Pine Avenve, Trail, B.C. VIR Mer tena) 368-91 to be. Just write, phone or fax 368-3990. strict of - Fax (604) Serving the City of Castlegar, Areas | and J (R.D.C.K.) 1995-6th Avenue, Castlegar * 365-6313