Scott Randolph, manager of Powell River Regional Economic Development Society (PRREDS), and Bill Vernon, the city’s consultant on the project, met with Ms Shea, as well as Randy Kamp, parliamentary secretary for fisheries and oceans, and MP John Weston.
The city is exploring establishing an aquatic industries park in conjunction with Tla’amin (Sliammon) First Nation, reports PeakOnline.
The proposal centres on about 40 hectares (100 acres) of undeveloped waterfront land owned by PRSC Partnership Ltd. next to Catalyst Paper Corporation’s Powell River division.
A number of aquaculture companies producing a wide range of sea life, including salmon, shellfish, black cod, sturgeon, algae and sea cucumber, have expressed an interest in being part of the facility. As well, post-secondary institutions and private sector companies have expressed an interest in the research and development aspect of the project.
The meeting with Ms Shea is thought to have gone positively.
The proposal requests the federal government provide C$500,000 in the first year for start-up costs, then C$2 million over five years.
It is estimated that the development of the aquaculture park could create over 200 well-paying technical jobs in the community as well as significantly increase tax revenues to the city.
