"This project has the potential to bring hundreds of jobs to the Northwest and be a long-term engine for economic growth in this region. By opening this community office Pacific NorthWest LNG is making it easier for residents to learn more about the project and get involved." --- Rich Coleman, Deputy Premier and Minister of Natural Gas Development, attending the ribbon cutting ceremony for Pacific NorthWest LNG's community office on Friday.
What many hope heralds a new era for the North Coast found it's first tangible sign of progress on Friday, as Pacific NorthWest LNG, opened the doors to it's downtown Prince Rupert Community Office. A location where local residents can track the latest developments of the 9 to 11 billion dollar proposed mega project for Lelu Island.
Rich Coleman, the Deputy Premier and Minister of Natural Gas Development was on hand to help assist with the ribbon cutting ceremony, joining him on the ceremonial cutting line were Mayor Jack Mussallem of Prince Rupert, Mayor Dave MacDonald of Port Edward and Mr. Greg Kist the President of Pacific NorthWest LNG.
The theme of many of the remarks made prior to the ribbon cutting was of the potential that the project brings to the North Coast, with residents now able to learn more about what the Petronas/Progress project may bring to the region.
Whether it's an interest in the overall scope of the development, or a question regarding employment opportunities during the construction, or operational phase. Access to answers will be as close as a walk through the doors of the Third Avenue storefront office.
"We are optimistic about the prospect of LNG development for our community. Pacific NorthWest LNG is proving they want to invest long-term in the Prince Rupert region by building a positive relationship with our community now."-- Prince Rupert Mayor Jack Mussallem
"We want to make sure our residents are first in line for LNG jobs and this community office will be a great resource for anyone interested to find out more about employment opportunities." -- Port Edward Mayor Dave MacDonald
Located at 105- 3rd Avenue West, the community office will feature displays that outline the LNG process and offer up background on contracting and employment opportunities regarding the project. As well interested North Coast residents can take advantage of the electronic access to the company's project website that has been set up in the office.
It marks the arrival of the first Community engagement office in the region, with the Petronas/Progress project just one of three confirmed LNG developments currently being proposed for the Prince Rupert/Port Edward region.
Being first gives you a certain amount of bragging rights, and Greg Kist, the President of Pacific NorthWest LNG provided a thumbnail sketch of what his company hopes to achieve with the opening of their office on Friday.
"Today's official opening of our community office is representative of our commitment to the communities, including First Nations, in northwest British Columbia. Starting in the new year, residents and businesses will be able to use the office as a place to gather more information on our project, have their questions answered and discuss potential employment opportunities in the construction and operational phases of our project."
The Pacific NorthWest LNG office will open for it's full time hours in the New Year, with plans to be open four days a week in Prince Rupert, with one day set aside for community engagement in Port Edward.
You can learn more about their project and it's progress from their website.
More background on today's official opening can be found here.
We have a wider overview of all of the proposed LNG developments for the North Coast, available on our LNG archive page of the blog.
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