economics

Yaq̓it ʔa·knuqⱡi ‘it (Tobacco Plains Indian Band), North Coal and Pacific Road Capital announced a Letter of Intent on Dec. 20, 2022, to enter into a partnership to develop Michel Project coal project near Sparwood. Back: Avery Gravelle, Kyle Shottanana, Jonathon Brewer. Front: Garrett Gravelle, Matt Fifield, Heidi Gravelle, Ian Maxwell, Donald McInnes, Bill Arling, Abby Cousins, Marion Ngo. (Photo from Yaq̓it ʔa·knuqⱡi ‘it)

Yaq̓it ʔa·knuqⱡi’it declares intent to enter coal project partnership near Sparwood

Nasukin Heidi Gravelle called it an opportunity on the path to self-determination

 

Wendy McDougall was appointed executive director of the Fernie Chamber of Commerce in December, 2022. (Joshua Fischlin/The Free Press)

Fernie Chamber’s new executive director offers thoughts on local commerce and new role

Wendy McDougall speaks to Fernie Chamber focuses

 

Wendy McDougall is the new executive director of the Fernie Chamber of Commerce, with the appointment announced in December, 2022. (Courtesy of the Fernie Chamber of Commerce)

Fernie Chamber of Commerce appoints new executive director

Wendy McDougall’s appointment was announced in December, 2022

 

Stock photo of a ‘help wanted’ sign at a store in Fernie. (Joshua Fischlin/The Free Press)

Writer’s Block: On the living wage and housing in Fernie

The Free Press columnist Bill Phillips on economic difficulties in Fernie

  • Dec 5, 2022
Stock photo of a ‘help wanted’ sign at a store in Fernie. (Joshua Fischlin/The Free Press)
Noah Houde sits on the shoulders of Mikael Houde (left) next to Manu Houde sitting on the shoulders of Mira Achard (right). The family was enjoying the firework display at the Light Up The Night event in Fernie on Nov. 26, 2021. (Joshua Fischlin/The Free Press)

Fernie’s Holiday Kickoff coming up on Friday

Event to start the holiday season off with a bang and promote supporting local

Noah Houde sits on the shoulders of Mikael Houde (left) next to Manu Houde sitting on the shoulders of Mira Achard (right). The family was enjoying the firework display at the Light Up The Night event in Fernie on Nov. 26, 2021. (Joshua Fischlin/The Free Press)
Susan Lambert is shown inside her home which is currently being renovated in this handout photo provided by her husband Mike Lazarovits. THE CANADIAN PRESS/HO-Mike Lazarovits

Renovation boom continues even as project costs increase and interest rates rise

Many Canadian homeowners still spending thousands a year

Susan Lambert is shown inside her home which is currently being renovated in this handout photo provided by her husband Mike Lazarovits. THE CANADIAN PRESS/HO-Mike Lazarovits
Yaq̓it ʔa·knuqⱡi’it Chief Heidi Gravelle with Silverado Industries CEO, Chase Thielen, the day of the groundbreaking ceremony held for the Yaq̓it ʔa·knuqⱡi’it RV park and gas station, Aug. 30, 2022. (Joshua Fischlin/The Free Press)

Yaq̓it ʔa·knuqⱡi’it breaks ground for upcoming RV park and gas station in South Country

Chief Heidi Gravelle said the centre will provide economic growth and autonomy

Yaq̓it ʔa·knuqⱡi’it Chief Heidi Gravelle with Silverado Industries CEO, Chase Thielen, the day of the groundbreaking ceremony held for the Yaq̓it ʔa·knuqⱡi’it RV park and gas station, Aug. 30, 2022. (Joshua Fischlin/The Free Press)
The community profiles are available on the EVEI website. (Image courtesy of Elk Valley Economic Initiative)

EVEI publishes Fernie, Sparwood, Elkford community profiles

The Elk Valley Economic Initiative has created broad profiles of each Elk Valley community

The community profiles are available on the EVEI website. (Image courtesy of Elk Valley Economic Initiative)
Simon Howse (left), general manager of Parastone, and Brad Parsell (right), executive director of the Fernie Chamber of Commerce. The pair gave short speeches at the first ‘Business, Banter and Beer’ event in over two years at the Fernie Hotel and Pub on May 18, 2022. (Joshua Fischlin/The Free Press)

‘We’re still standing’: Business, Banter and Beer events return to Fernie

Housing and staffing were brought up at the first BBB event in over two years

Simon Howse (left), general manager of Parastone, and Brad Parsell (right), executive director of the Fernie Chamber of Commerce. The pair gave short speeches at the first ‘Business, Banter and Beer’ event in over two years at the Fernie Hotel and Pub on May 18, 2022. (Joshua Fischlin/The Free Press)
NWP Coal is the company pushing the Crown Mountain project. (Photo courtesy of NWP Coal)

NWP Coal completes environmental assessment document for mining project near Sparwood

The environmental assessment had been delayed for about a year

NWP Coal is the company pushing the Crown Mountain project. (Photo courtesy of NWP Coal)
A B.C. aquaculture facility. Black Press file photo

Industry report: not renewing B.C. salmon farm licenses comes with $1.2 billion cost

Economic analysis says 4,700 jobs depend on 79 licenses set to expire at the end of June

A B.C. aquaculture facility. Black Press file photo
Elkview operations, above Sparwood in southeast B.C. (Scott Tibballs / The Free Press)

Report backs coal’s economic contribution to Elk Valley

Thousands of jobs and hundreds of millions in employee wages stay local, according to a study from Deloitte

Elkview operations, above Sparwood in southeast B.C. (Scott Tibballs / The Free Press)
Brad Parsell said the Fernie Chamber of Commerce was spending a lot of time advocating for immigration levels to return to pre-pandemic numbers, given the community’s reliance on foreign workers. (File photo)

Housing, staffing and wages: Fernie Chamber crunching numbers heading into 2022

Brad Parsell said he was amazed by how many businesses had opened in Fernie during the pandemic

Brad Parsell said the Fernie Chamber of Commerce was spending a lot of time advocating for immigration levels to return to pre-pandemic numbers, given the community’s reliance on foreign workers. (File photo)
The B.C. government announced that workers will be entitled to five paid sick days a year, beginning in January. Labour groups say the announcement falls short. Pictured here, a worker gathering shopping carts in a grocery store parking lot in March. (THE CANADIAN PRESS/Frank Gunn)

B.C.’s 5 paid sick days fall short of ask for some; criticized as ‘gut punch’ by small business

Small business, meanwhile, say move ‘tone deaf’ to their realities

The B.C. government announced that workers will be entitled to five paid sick days a year, beginning in January. Labour groups say the announcement falls short. Pictured here, a worker gathering shopping carts in a grocery store parking lot in March. (THE CANADIAN PRESS/Frank Gunn)
A woman and children who were stranded by high water due to flooding are rescued by a volunteer operating a boat Abbotsford, British Columbia on Tuesday, Nov. 16, 2021. Officials in a small city near the Canada border are calling the damage devastating after a storm that dumped rain for days caused flooding and mudslides. City officials in Sumas, Washington said Tuesday that hundreds of people had been evacuated and estimated that 75% of homes had water damage. Just over the border, residents in about 1,100 rural homes in Abbotsford were told to evacuate as waterways started to rise quickly. (Darryl Dyck/The Canadian Press via AP)

B.C. storm disrupts supply chain, could have lasting impacts on economy: experts

All major highways between B.C.’s Lower Mainland and the Interior severed by severe rainfall

A woman and children who were stranded by high water due to flooding are rescued by a volunteer operating a boat Abbotsford, British Columbia on Tuesday, Nov. 16, 2021. Officials in a small city near the Canada border are calling the damage devastating after a storm that dumped rain for days caused flooding and mudslides. City officials in Sumas, Washington said Tuesday that hundreds of people had been evacuated and estimated that 75% of homes had water damage. Just over the border, residents in about 1,100 rural homes in Abbotsford were told to evacuate as waterways started to rise quickly. (Darryl Dyck/The Canadian Press via AP)
Fernie from the top of the Swine Flu trail in early 2021. (Scott Tibballs / The Free Press)

Elk Valley gets new Economic Recovery Advisor

The new role is funded through grants, and is designed to support the local economy

Fernie from the top of the Swine Flu trail in early 2021. (Scott Tibballs / The Free Press)
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