A proposed Powell River technology hub in Townsite will not be happening anytime soon.
The project was passed over in the latest round of community forest grant funding confirmed Monday, May 29, by City of Powell River council.
Powell River Education Services Society (PRESS) president Jay Yule said his organization, a non-profit arm of School District 47, recognizes that the Powell River Community Forest board is unable to fund every application it receives.
Yule said he is optimistic for the forest board’s fall funding allotment.
“We are disappointed that we didn’t receive a grant,” he said. “We commend the forest board on the exemplary work they are doing to enhance our community. We were encouraged to apply again once we develop a more comprehensive plan.”
Townsite Market owner and developer Steve Brooks said he is continuing to work with tech hub partners PRESS, Vancouver Island University and City of Powell River on the project.
“They still have some work to do on the business plan and operational funding model for the space,” said Brooks. “There’s lots of interest in the initiative and this gives the group a chance to resubmit a proposal for September.”
According to community forest president Greg Hemphill, the board received more than $3 million in requests for project funding, twice the amount the board was able to provide in the latest round of funding announcements.
The community forest could have granted the $309,000 application, although it chose not to for the May funds allocation and left $500,000 in the city’s community forest reserve fund. Hemphill would not provide specifics on why the tech hub application was rejected.
The largest grant the forest board supported in the recent announcement was $600,000 to Powell River Public Library, funds to go toward its $1.4 million fundraising goal.
“I wasn't personally really expecting to get funding this time around with the library’s application,” said Brooks. “I still have some things to do, from a landlord perspective, before the tech space build-out could start anyway.”
The proposed tech hub would occupy 8,000 square feet of Townsite Market, currently under construction on Ash Street.
Brooks said the community forest board’s decision to pass over the PRESS application at this time “has no impact on the Townsite Market project.”
“I'm committed to the tech space vision,” said Brooks. “It’s important for Powell River and for attracting tech jobs and talent to the area. We will continue to look for funding and partners in the space.”
Powell River Makerspace co-founder Theo Rosenfeld said having the technological collective move to Townsite is not dependent on the tech hub being established.
“The makerspace has always been an independent, complementary project,” said Rosenfeld. “If there’s any reason we don’t move into that space, it won’t hinge on the tech hub.
