By Cheryl Jahn

Clean tech firms get some help

Aug 20, 2020 | 3:28 PM

PRINCE GEORGE – Mayor and Council recently got an update from its Economic Development branch, in partnership with Community Futures, about its work to bolster the clean tech industry. That’s an industry that produces goods and services in Prince George to support the natural resource sector in an environmentally-sustainable way.

The project in question involved contacting what Charles Scott with Community Futures called “a surprising” number of clean tech businesses.

“We helped firms tackle whatever impediments they faced,” he explains. “Some of those things are up to the business. It’s up to a business to figure it’s own business out. But there are some challenges that are harder for an individual firm to get over.”

Day of Mourning

"One fatality is too many:" National Day of Mourning to call for safer work conditions

3h ago

PORTLAND PREVIEW

Portland Winterhawks "excited" for series against Prince George Cougars

5h ago

Prisoner Turned Advocate

Former Prisoner Turned Advocate: Resident Fights for Disability Rights in Clothing

8h ago

One of the biggest impediments is a lack of workforce.

Melissa Barcellos, Manager for Economic Development, who said many of the businesses struggled to maintain their existing contracts, never mind expand.

“Luckily we have a Move Up Prince George platform in place and were able to build off that. And, as a result, we were able to support those firms in attracting new employees.”

The partnership also helped businesses “get a seat at the table,” especially when trying to secure investment internationally.

The program wrapped up at the end of March with a number of success stories: they were targetting $850,000 in international investment and actually achieved $3 million. Sixteen firms noted increases in employees.

The City is now looking at how it can generate the same success with other industry “clusters”