FSJ Chamber news and updates
Beyond the Horizon Workshop October 3
We participated in the Beyond the Horizon Workshop held by Northern BC Tourism Association in partnership with Destination BC and the Tourism Cafe. This workshop introduced The Great Wilderness Experience Development Program designed to help Northeastern BC businesses enhance their tourism potential.
Characteristics of the ideal guests for the area:
- Active, adventurous, adaptable
- Respectful, responsible, resourceful
- Keen to learn
- Comfortable getting off the beaten path
- Like to be active in nature
Key motivations of our ideal guests
- Deep dive into local history
- Enjoying beautiful landscapes
- Experiencing Indigenous culture and traditions
- Active adventure outdoors
- Wildlife viewing
- Attending Festivals and events
- Travel to Tumbler Ridge Geopark or along the Alaska Highway
Findings from the regional assessment
- This region is the place to tell the BC's energy story
- Careful investment is needed to broaden the region's appeal to new visitor markets
- Need for more purchasable experiences
- Opportunity to increase indigenous experiences
- Invest in family fun
- Invest in Tumbler Ridge as a regional icon
- Festivals and events could be better leveraged for greater economic and community benefits
- The assessment loop from Fort St. John through Hudson's Hope, Chetwynd, Tumbler Ridge, Dawson Creek and Taylor has the potential to be a new demand generator for the northeast
- A lot of businesses are for sale
- Choose new market development carefully
Nominations
The Fort St. John and District Chamber of Commerce in accordance with the organization’s by-laws, is seeking candidates with established business, leadership, and advocacy expertise to join the Board of Directors for a two-year term commencing December 4, 2024 ending in December 2026. Nominations will open November 4 with application packages due by November 21 at 3:00pm.
Directors represent and are accountable to the membership and as such are responsible for governing and overseeing the strategic direction of the Chamber. The effectiveness of your Chamber is directlydependent on the leadership, participation, and enthusiasm of the Board of Directors.
Desirable qualities of a strong candidate for the Chamber Board of Director:
- Awareness and understanding of the Chamber and a desire to support and promote it.
- Awareness of the business and economic climate in Fort St. John, BC, and Canada.
- Previous board experience serving in an advocacy, leadership or executive position.
- Sound entrepreneurial skills.
- Understanding of financial statements, management reports, and risk management.
- High ethical standards and integrity in professional and personal dealings.
- Ability to work as a team member.
- History of community involvement.
If you have any questions about the process or more information, please contact the Chamber office at 250-785-6037 or email admin@fsjchamber.com
Meet the new Chamber Board and Learn about the Chamber at a luncheon December 10, Save the Date! More information to come soon.
Canfor Fort St. John Sawmill closure
On September 4, Canfor announced the closure of the Fort St. John sawmill by the end of the year. Fort St. John is undergoing the community transition with the first phase being worker support. The last day of operations of the sawmill is set for December 20 with work for all staff up to that date. Canfor operations will remain in Southern BC, with options for staff to transfer to the other Canfor locations. This impacts 221 direct Canfor employees and 25 contract companies. At this point, the goal is to ensure those impacted by the closure make it through the best they can, and if we can keep them in our communities. Some of the supports available are funding to upgrade skills, review transferrable skills and match workers up to potential jobs in the area, and mental health support. There will be an increased need for donations such as food, so please donate where you can.
While there are offers of to purchase the Canfor tenures, there isn't a viable immediate offer that will keep the workers where they are at, so we need to prepare for the impact to our communities.
Site C Reservoir filling
Construction on BC Hydro Site C is nearing completion with the filling of reservoir. The fill will widen the Peace River by up to three times. The river will be closed for use until it has been deemed safe.
The majority of economic impacts of the project wrapping up have been seen in the North Peace. The next steps for the Site C project is starting operations which will include hiring operational staff.
Pictures: Peace River Summer 2013 (left) and Fall 2024 (right) from rest stop between Fort St. John and Hudson's Hope