Initiatives PG

President and CEO Tim McEwan, of Initiatives PG provided an interesting and thought provoking presentation regarding the current Strategic Plan in Prince George.

Initiatives PG main concept is to be a catalyst to improve Prince George as a place to do business, to create and improve the market economics of business in Northern BC and as a place for people to live and retire.

Initiatives PG have created a multi step program within their Strategic Plan to address these points.  Everything from Downtown Revitalization efforts, Marketing Prospectives, working with export and import initiatives through the Container Port in Prince Rupert and future opportunities with our newly expanded Prince George Airport.

Prince George is seen as the Hub of the North for both Energy and Knowledge.  

Tim indicated that Prince George is already experiencing a Skill Shortage that is being reflected in the current 6% unemployment levels in the area.  There is also a shortage of trained Engineering Skills in the north that needs to be addressed through both CNC and UNBC.

The new Medical Training Centre is a real asset to the area, as will be the new Cancer Clinic and Lodge under development.

Tim indicated that Prince George current growth rate is approximately 1% per year.

Past President Ken Pendergast thanked Tim for his presentation with another donation to our Polio Plus Program.