December for the most part saw a slowing of business notes in the community, with much of the news from the month dedicated towards community service initiatives from local business operators.
The month did offer up a glimpse at some of the behind the scenes developments for local organizations and a few hints as to some of the changes that may be coming in the year ahead to the city's commercial sector.
Our review of the Commercial and economic scene in the region for the last month can be found below:
December
The month began with another disappointing note on the theme of LNG development for the region, with word that WCC LNG would be closing their local office in December, scaling back on their community footprint as they take a more measured pace when it comes to moving forward with any plans for development of the proposed LNG terminal at Tuck Inlet.
It was nomination time once again for Northern Savings, as the Prince Rupert based financial institution began its process of election to the Board of Directors, with applications being accepted until mid January at all branches across the Northwest and Haida Gwaii.
The City's Rotarians, fresh off the success of their November Television Auction were back at the service of the community in December, hosting their annual Christmas Tree Sale at the Rotary Tennis Courts on McBride.
Hopes for improved air service are just some of the changes that local residents may be looking for from the Prince Rupert Airport, and to help steer the transportation facility into the new year, the City of Prince Rupert has hired a new Airport Manager for the city's air link to the Lower mainland and beyond.
CityWest, the Prince Rupert owned communication company celebrated the holiday season with two announcements, the first the annual distribution of a financial return to their sole share holder the City of Prince Rupert. As well, to share in the season with their customers the City's communication company hosted their annual 12 Days of Christmas promotion once again.
Passenger bus service across the Northwest was in the spotlight in December as the Passenger Transportation Board hosted public information sessions in Terrace and Smithers.
The impact of local sports on the local business community gained a bit of a shout out in December, as the Local Minor Softball Association shared some of the details of the financial push that the local sport provides towards local businesses.
Local radio was the focus for some residents of the city, with a local group of CBC listeners sharing their thoughts on the theme with City Council in early December, their glowing report of early December however, gained a bit of tarnish later in the month, as the same group recounted a number of concerns that they had with programming over the holiday period.
Nominations for the Chamber of Commerce Business Excellence Awards came to an in mid December, with the official nominees for this years competition to be revealed in late January.
2018 may bring some changes to the local grocery shopping scene, with the Safeway/Sobey's chain considering some further changes to the British Columbia footprint in the year ahead.
Canada Post put out the Bids Wanted sign in December, as the national postal service begins to review its options when it comes to the parcel delivery business in Prince Rupert.
A popular tutoring service in the community celebrated ten years of service on the North Coast in December, as PAC 10 tutoring hosted an Open House to share their success with past and present students and their families.
The City's liquor and beer stores joined forces with the RCMP and students from School District 52 to share safety messages related to impaired driving during the holiday season.
Local businesses lent a hand to a popular Prince Rupert tradition as a number of local business operators provided prizes and cash awards for the annual Blue Knuckle Derby of December 27th.
The reopening of a neighbourhood pub in the city's east side has made for a significant boost to the city's entertainment options for the New year, as the Seal Cove Neighbourhood Pub brings in a number bands and other entertainment to put the east side pub on the list of popular local venues.
Two businesses that are operating in Prince Rupert are in the running for provincial honours in January, with E'Klektik Trading and Technicon Industries both heading towards the final stages of the annual Small Business Awards for 2017.
You can keep up to date on the ebb and flow of the Prince Rupert commercial scene through 2017 from our Taking Stock tracker archive which can be reviewed here.
Our archive for the New year of 2018 will be tracking the commercial scene through the next twelve months here.
We imagine we probably have missed a few here or there, so if you know of a business having opened, or seen the Going out of business sign appear somewhere in the area, drop us a line at our email account of northcoastreviewpr@yahoo.ca
Or send us a short message through our twitter feed of @CharlesHays
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