What better way to launch a grand new year than with the soothing sounds of large-scale rock demolition? Construction of the long-awaited second powerplant at the Waneta Dam may begin in just over a month, with blasting booked as early as mid-February, Columbia Power representatives told Rossland council Monday.     “I’m sure in the past, […]

“Castlegar has taken the cake this year,” – that from BC Assessment’s deputy assessor, Dennis Hickson, in regard to residential property values in the region for 2010. He said the average increase in assessed value for single family dwellings in Castlegar is 4.66 per cent, compared with Nelson’s 1.92 per cent, Creston at 2.61 per […]

The power goes out on a regular basis in the West Kootenay during the winter. In light of the fact today is the first official day of winter, BC Hydro has introduced a new mobile-friendly version of www.bchydro.com that makes it easier for customers to access information on their smart phones during power outages. The mobile […]

By Timothy Schafer, The Nelson Daily The Waneta Dam expansion could create a legacy of skilled trades people for the West Kootenay region, says a Columbia Power spokesperson. Audrey Repin said with a guaranteed policy in place to hire apprentices on the jobsite, many of the over 400 new job hires could become journeymen trades […]

Two studies conducted by PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC) point to wide-ranging economic and social benefits from hosting the Vancouver 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games. The reports, which cover the period of 2003-2009 and the first three months of 2010, show some positive impacts for both B.C. and Canada in the areas studied. The greatest cumulative impacts […]

In a report released today by the Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives (CCPA), two prominent economists propose changes to U.S. and Canadian mortgage finance polices to prevent a future financial crisis.   The report is authored by Doug Peters, former Secretary of State (Finance) and former TD Bank Chief Economist, and economic consultant Arthur Donner. […]

In what amounts to, literally, a license to print money, a group of local economy advocates are about to launch a regional currency that will be in circulation throughout the Columbia Basin early next year. It’s true: as early as next February, Columbia Community Dollars will be tradable online and in circulation as paper money […]

B.C.’s economy is expected grow moderately over the next year according to B.C.’s independent Economic Forecast Council. “B.C.’s economy has performed better than expected this year,” said Finance Minister Colin Hansen. “Given ongoing instability in U.S. and European markets, the council agrees it is essential B.C. continue to exercise prudence as we move forward in […]

Riding the high of a successful tri-city bid to host the 2011 B.C. Senior Olympic Games, the tri-city mayors and Chambers of Commerce met last week to discuss further economic development in the region. Castlegar Mayor Lawrence Chernoff, along with Trail Mayor Dieter Bogs and Nelson Mayor John Dooley, met with Chamber of Commerce representatives […]

By Timothy Schafer, The Nelson Daily With the weekend opening of the Whitewater Ski Resort season one day away, an opening of another sort on the mountain is still gestating, says the hills’ general manager. Brian Cusack said the master plan — finalized and adopted by Ministry of Tourism, Culture and the Arts in the […]