HOUSTON - The Government of British Columbia, District of Houston and local and regional service providers continue to work collaboratively to minimize the impacts of the West Fraser mill closure.

Supports to inform and assist impacted workers are in place. The province is working with partner agencies such as Northern Development Initiative Trust and Northwest Community College to provide a series of informative worker and community events, including a Job Fair, an Economic Development Essentials for Local Leaders workshop on Saturday Feb. 22, 2014, a Supplier Bootcamp, a Grant Writing Workshop, and a Land Development workshop on Monday April 7, 2014, all in Houston.

The Province also is sponsoring Houston's work in the development of an Economic Development Action Plan.

Here are other initiatives to help workers and the District of Houston transition:

• Established a worker transition team to co-ordinate government support for the impacted workers and the community.
• Produced a Community Resource Guide providing key information on employment, community and social services, job skills and retraining, and financial services available in Houston. Led by District of Houston and funded by the province, this guide is available on the district's website: http://www.houston.ca/siteengine/activepage.asp?PageID=197
• Hosted a Town Hall on Dec. 7, 2013, led by the District of Houston, to provide information to the community about its response efforts and plans. Continue to work directly with key local service providers to provide information about programs and services available in Houston.
• Hosted on-site information sessions in December through the Employment Program of BC, Service Canada and Northwest Community College, with additional sessions planned for early March.
• Expanded the Employment Program of BC support in Houston from one day to five days per week, now open Monday, Wednesday and Friday mornings and full days on Tuesdays and Thursdays. This translates into 35 more hours each week, a 500 per cent increase in service.
• Hosted business development and grant writing workshops in Houston on Jan. 29, 2014, to support diversification of the local economy, led by Representatives from Northern Development Initiative Trust.
• The Trust's Contractor-Supplier Bootcamp workshop educated local business owners about procurement opportunities and the requirements for major industrial projects.
• The Trust's grant writing workshop taught local grant writers how to better locate, apply and get approved for funding to support economic and community development initiatives.
• Co-ordinating enhanced outreach of community services to ensure the needs of impacted workers and their families are supported and addressed, co-led by Northern Health and the Ministry of Children and Family Development, with numerous community organizations involved.
• Planning a job fair in Houston for the second week in April, and continuing to monitor the skills upgrading and training needs and interests of impacted workers.
• Organizing a Reverse Trade show, Business Walks and facilitating workshops for entrepreneurs and other actions to support businesses are being planned by an Economic Development and Diversification team.

Quotes:

Shirley Bond, Minister of Jobs, Tourism and Skills Training and Minister Responsible for Labour -

"From the moment we heard that there was a pending mill closure in Houston, we have had a support team on the ground working closely with the community. We have been very impressed by the hard work and determination shown by the District of Houston, as together we find ways to mitigate the impacts on workers, their families, contractors and the community."

Bill Holmberg, mayor of the District of Houston -

"Our council is working very hard with the province and local agencies to develop a plan to address our community's needs before, during and after to address the mill-closure situation. Workshops have been scheduled to develop an economic action plan for Houston."

John Rustad, MLA for Nechako Lakes -

"I was incredibly disappointed to hear of the plans by West Fraser Timber to close the Houston Forest Products mill this spring. The mountain pine beetle infestation is certainly one of the greatest challenges that the forestry industry in our province has ever had to overcome. Our government is committed to assist all of the affected workers transition from the closure, and we work with the District of Houston to develop a plan to move forward and develop a new economic plan for our region."

Quick Facts:

• Building on the success of 15 previously offered Economic Development Essentials for Local Leaders workshops and three economic development webinars offered last fall, a new series of workshops are planned for 2014 including the 15 Land Development workshops and six Economic Development Essentials for Local Leaders workshops.
• All workshops are provincially funded and offered at no cost to the community. They provide rural and urban communities access to expert advice on economic development topics. British Columbians can exchange ideas, good practices and innovative solutions to problems faced by communities.
• The newly created Land Development workshop will be offered in 15 communities by the province in 2014, focussing on land development for investment attraction and/or business development purposes. The workshop will walk participants through the development process, including:
• Conducting a land-readiness assessment.
• Navigating the site-selection process.
• Developing a land-development prospectus.
• Identifying relevant provincial government supports, resources and contacts.
• How to create a high-quality investment profile for the OpportunitiesBC website and other marketing vehicles.
• Tips and strategies for creating a viable and attractive land development opportunity and real-world application will be emphasized. Strategies to overcome common barriers to investment attraction will be discussed, and success stories from communities will be shared.
• The Employment Program of BC's focus is to provide the services that unemployed British Columbians need to find and keep a job and is offered through 85 WorkBC Employment Services Centres around the province.
• Since launching in April 2012, WorkBC Employment Services Centres have provided employment supports and services to more than 128,000 people.

Learn More:

Houston Community Resource Guide: http://www.houston.ca/siteengine/activepage.asp?PageID=197

More information on economic development tools and resources: http://www.jtst.gov.bc.ca/economic_development/index.htm

Connect with the Province of British Columbia at: www.gov.bc.ca/connect

BC Jobs Plan: http://www.bcjobsplan.ca/

To find a local WorkBC Employment Services Centre: www.workbccentres.ca

Media Contacts:

Media Relations
Jobs, Tourism and Skills Training and Responsible for Labour
250 387-2799

Mayor Bill Holmberg
District of Houston
250 845 8258