A new modular facility in the Nanoose First Nation will simplify the challenges small business owners on the mid-Island have in storing and shipping their online orders. (Shutterstock)

By Alex Rawnsley

ONLINE SHOPPING

New micro-fulfillment centre to help local small business meet growing online orders

Feb 26, 2021 | 5:25 AM

PARKSVILLE — A massive barrier for local businesses to compete with online giants like Amazon is on its way to being smashed.

Funded by a $620,000 provincial grant, a new warehouse and fulfillment facility in the region will provide an easy way for local small businesses to sort, store, ship and deliver their online sales.

Corry Hostetter, economic development coordinator for Oceanside Initiatives, told NanaimoNewsNOW once up and running the warehouse should cut shipping and delivery costs for participating businesses by around 50 per cent.

“The facility itself will provide storage, immediate pick and pack capabilities and low-cost same day and next day delivery for Vancouver Island.”

The exact location for the warehouse has not been determined but it will be constructed to suit and owned by Nanoose First Nation on their land.

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Provincial grant money will handle all the items required to run the business including equipment and operating expenses. Between 50 to 75 local jobs are expected to be created in order to operate the business.

The project was born from the COVID-19 pandemic and various recovery and support programs through the Parksville & District Chamber of Commerce.

During a check-in with local businesses during the retail shutdown in spring 2020, many businesses were either already moving towards or planning for an online sales model.

“A lot of businesses that were getting back on their feet were unable to deliver on those online sales so they were just going back to business as usual,” Hostetter said. “We knew the second wave was going to happen and we foresee people going in this direction.”

Construction of the building will be complete by November, 2021. The business itself must be up and running by March, 2023.

Businesses will work with a sales and marketing team to join the warehouse and pay through a model based on cubic metre of storage used and number of packages shipped.

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alex.rawnsley@jpbg.ca

On Twitter: @alexrawnsley