The Arts have always played a role in efforts to make the community more attractive. We will assist the many groups that are focused on bringing the Arts to the forefront of development efforts.
A number of community groups and individuals have worked towards the creation of an ‘adventure park’ that would serve people who ride a variety of bikes and boards. We will assist in efforts to find financing for that project.
We will work to establish a fund that would invest in local startups beginning work in strategic sectors of the economy.
The City is home to a number of seafood businesses that would like to add value to their products including the waste biomass. In addition, a few businesses and First Nations are exploring the extraction of higher-value compounds from wood bark, sawdust and other residual wood. We will do a study to determine the feasibility of a bio-processing centre serving these interests.
#Made-in-Port-Alberni was a subset feature of Explore Port Alberni, which was a multi-media promotion of Port Alberni. It featured businesses that were unique to Port Alberni and assisted in marketing the businesses and the community. It will be re-established through a Request for Proposal process.
The City has received $229,152 in funding from the Community Workforce Response Grant for a small cadre of trainees (up to 12 fully-funded positions) to learn building deconstruction and circular economy skills theoretically and on the Somass Lands. North Island College and Synergy Foundation are providing the training which begins February 12, 2024. No municipal funding is required for the project.
Four startup companies across Canada were awarded seed funding from the Ocean Startup Project for their proposed solutions to challenge/problem statements. Ocean Aid (BC) was awarded $7,000 for a proposal to harness the power of sonar and AI to detect and map locations of ghost fishing gear underwater so that it can be retrieved. BioLabMate (NL) was awarded $7,000 for a proposal to replace single-use plastic waste from research labs and medical facilities using ocean-based materials for a greener future. Aquarius (QC) was awarded $7,000 for a proposal to develop a technolo
A lease has been executed between the City and Twin City Brewing Company Ltd for the primarily for the operation of a craft brew pub and restaurant at 3100 Kingsway (aka Train Station). The lease is effective April 1, 2024 to March 31, 2034, with an option to renew at fair market value for a further five (5) years.
The City has received a $70,000 grant from the Island Coastal Economic Trust (ICET) and the Provincial Government to assist small businesses in the community. Community Futures Alberni-Clayoquot have been contracted to contact 500 businesses with offers of assistance; assist in writing 4 grant applications; and assist in health care recruitment and retention work. No municipal funding is required for the project.
We have re-engaged the work of recruiting movies given that the strikes in the industry have been settled.
A grant application for $150,000 in funding to do some Geographic Information Systems mapping and public engagement was submitted and approved. No municipal funding contribution is required.
