Mill workers in Crofton got back on the job earlier this year thanks to funding from the province which helped adjust their operations. (BC Government)

By NanaimoNewsNOW Staff

job stability

Provincial funding ongoing for new manufacturing operations on Vancouver Island

Jul 22, 2023 | 5:41 AM

NANAIMO — New funding is targeting growth in manufacturing jobs on Vancouver Island.

Money is coming from a $180 million B.C. Manufacturing Jobs Fund which awards money to businesses looking to set up or expand operations on the Island.

Brenda Bailey, minister of jobs, economic development and innovation, told NanaimoNewsNOW manufacturing is crucial to a diverse economy, especially with uncertainty around some forestry operations.

“Having manufacturing can really be a good solution for this. We need more manufacturing in British Columbia, they’re well-paying jobs and when folks are moving out of forestry either temporarily or permanently, we want to make sure they can land in well-paying jobs.”

Having grown up in Nanaimo, Bailey said she comes from a forestry household.

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She added downturns in the economy and curtailment of operations have hit her family in the past, so she understands the uncertainty some families face in the wake of changing markets.

Bailey pointed to the October 2022 curtailment of the Paper Excellence Mill in Crofton, affecting around 100 employees.

Funding from the province, announced in January 2023, allowed not only a re-opening but also a shift in direction.

“We worked with them to switch over…now they’re making utensils out of wood that replaces plastic utensils in the restaurant industry. It’s sustainable, and every one of those 100 people came back to work.”

Bailey reiterated her support of the forestry industry, but said diversification in communities is vital across B.C.

“Forestry is always going to be an incredibly important part of British Columbia’s economy, we are a forestry economy but it’s important also we have other types of jobs in communities so that if there is a downturn in forestry, there are other opportunities.”

Recent projects funded include up to $700,000 for the construction of pre-fabrication facilities in Cobble Hill and Mill Bay, as well as $50,000 for a retrofit of a former pulp and paper mill warehouse to instead process salmon and aquafarm.

More information on the fund is available on the province’s website.

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