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Several months ago I welcomed a delegation of City Council members and
Public Works staff from Cheong Ju, South Korea. One of the visitors, Simon
Lim, was particularly interested in the new English Language school being
set up here in Revelstoke. Information was provided to him which
precipitated another visit to Revelstoke and now the possibility of
students coming here from Korea to learn English. Simon has invited myself
to Korea to not only promote Revelstoke but to look into the possibility
of us doing other business as well. I will be visiting Korea shortly and
hope to make contacts for other businesses in the community.
I have attended quite a few
functions recently on behalf of council and the community. The opening of
the new Revelstoke Arts Centre, the Employment Centre, welcomed the
seniors choirs, Columbia Shuswap Regional District Directors, as well as
the Columbia Basin Trust.
We are still waiting for
confirmation on our Indoor pool grant and the latest word is 2-3 more
weeks. I feel positive that our grant will come through and look forward
to hitting the ground running on this exciting project. One exciting
project that unfortunately won't be happening is the Community Energy
Co-Gen Plant. With all the issues facing Downie Timber and the forest
industry in general, this project is being looked into now as a smaller
heat only version. The multiple impacts of softwood lumber, the rise of
the Canadian dollar, the increased capacity and cost of the Co-Gen plant
as well as the uncertainty of any grants to make the project more viable
has forced Downie to make alternate arrangements for it's wood waste. The
good news is the end of the beehive burner is getting closer.
The Tourists are starting
to come. Buildings are being upgraded, businesses are starting up, moving,
and expanding. We have a couple of new businesses to congratulate,
Chantilly Kitchen and Bath, and the new Grizzly Sports Bar. Also coming is
Little Caesar's Pizza, as well moving into downtown is Canadian 2 for 1
Pizza. I feel the business climate is becoming more positive and I know we
are all looking forward to a good year. If you have an idea of a business
you'd like to start we have a myriad of information and help for you. Talk
to the Chamber of Commerce, Economic Development, Community Futures,
Enterprise Facilitation and City Hall for guidance on planning, bylaw and
development requirements . Give me a call!
Mark McKee
Mayor
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