There has been some push back lately on social media and in the community regarding the 99-year lease that the City of Powell River has entered into with Gaoshi Holdings (Canada).
As a community this is exactly the type of economic incentive that we should be offering to outside companies who want to establish new businesses and even entirely new industries here locally. Neighbouring communities such as Campbell River, Comox, Sechelt and Gibsons have all offered tax incentives to businesses that are looking to relocate to their communities. The incentives that Campbell River in particular has offered have helped to revitalize its downtown core and to attract new businesses to its community after losing its Catalyst Paper Corporation Pulp Mill in July of 2010.
Even if this project was to not work out, the city and its residents stand to lose nothing. If it does work, however, we stand to gain a lot. Let’s keep an open mind. Let’s allow our elected officials to do what we elected them to do. Your son, daughter or even granddaughter may grow up to be an aeronautical engineer one day because of the opportunities created by decisions such as this one.
Please support your mayor, council, and city officials in continuing to build this great community. We need to be proactive in establishing new industry locally so that the future vision of Powell River is driven by its residents and not by its economic environment.
Cory Carr is president of Powell River Chamber of Commerce
