Welcome to the South Peace Economic Development Commission website. The South Peace Economic Development Commission (SPEDC) is a commission established by the municipalities and rural areas of the South Peace region of the Peace River Regional District. We are formally supported by the municipalities of Pouce Coupe, Dawson Creek, Chetwynd and Tumbler Ridge, as well as Area 'D' and 'E' of the Peace River Regional District.
Our website is a one-stop shop for all information on the South Peace region and its municipalities. The information provided here covers everything of importance and relevance to what makes the South Peace a significant region. The website covers multiple subject areas for each community as well as our unincorporated hamlets- everything one would want to know about our region and its defining characteristics.
We hope that by providing this valuable amount of information on our website it will have a three part effect. The first effect is to help showcase our economic development strategies with major emphasis on our investment readiness. The second will be attracting more provincial, national and international business into our region. The final effect is attracting more skilled workers and their families to the South Peace.
***Updates and Opportunities***
News
Northeast BC Helps Fuel Provincial Economy- Feb. 2nd, 2011
According to recent figures released by the provincial governmet, revenues from natural gas production in northeast BC helped fuel BC’s economic recovery in 2010. Drilling activity was up 10% compared to 2009 and now accounts for 14% of all natural gas wells drilled in Canada. Industries capital investment is projected to reach $7 billion in the fiscal year 2010/2011 which is up from $5.2 billion the previous year.The Ministry of Energy projects that the provincial revenue from natural gas will reach $1.38 billion in the fiscal year 2010/2011 and production will hit 1.14 trillion cubic feet.
(Northwest News, Jan. 19, 2011)
Population in the Peace Proliferates- Feb 4, 2011
The Peace River Regional District saw a 1.7% increase in population from July 1, 2009 to June 30, 2010 according to BC Stats. In Dawson Creek the population increased by 2.9%, Fort St. John increased by 2%, Chetwynd by 1.9%, Taylor by 1% and Pouce Coupe by 6%. Since Pouce Coupe has such a small population, 6% doesn’t account for a huge change. Using the last senses of 2006 as a base year, estimates show 331 new residents in Dawson Creek, 391 in Fort St. John, 45 in Pouce Coupe, 34 in Chetwynd, and 15 in Taylor.
(Dawson Creek Daily News- Feb 4, 2011)
Demand Leads to Quintette Reopening Proposal- March 1, 2011
Tech Industries has presented the Peace River Regional District with a feasibility study aimed at reopening the Quintette coal mine, located 20km south of Tumbler Ridge. Due to the huge demand for coal and metal in China and India, Tech wants to reopen the mine to boost their annual production from their current 25 million tonnes a year to 30 million tonnes a year, 3- 3.5 million tonnes coming from Quintette. The potential reopening is scheduled for 2013.
(Dawson Creek Daily News, March 1, 2011)
Dokie Wind Project- Now Fully Operational
Plutonic Power Corp. and GE Energy Financial Services have achieved commercial operations status as of February 17, 2011 of BC’s largest wind farm. The fully operating Dokie wind farm now provides clean energy to BC Hydro under a 25-year Electricity Purchase Agreement. The farm has 43 wind turbines and is capable of generating 320,00 to 340,000 MWh per year. For more information the press release is provided below.
New Fracturing Database Online- March 7, 2011
The Energy sector now has a new online tool for finding information about hydraulic fracturing operations in western Canada. The online database is currently being updated daily with new data about completed wells including stress numbers, frac gradient numbers, costs, timelines, technology used, problems the producers have encountered and comments by engineers. The database is produced in partnership between Canadian Discover and Introspec Energy Group.
The link to the database is below
(Pipeline News, February 25, 2011)
Labour and the Oil and Gas Industry- March 30, 2011
The folloing PDF provides a report on labour issues writen by the Petroleum Human Resources Council of Canada.
Labour and the Oil and Gas Industry
Tenders and RFP's
Tender for General Contractor Services (Calvin Kruk Centre for the Arts)- February 9, 2011
An invitation to bid on construction of the Calvin Kruk Centre for Arts was issued on February 7th, 2011, by the City of Dawson Creek. A design review committee meeting to look at the final plans for the building is set for February 14th. The architect and project manager will be present and will provide a mandatory bid walk on February 15th for potential bidders to see the site and know what they are bidding on. The building for the Calvin Kruk Centre is located at 10401-10th St. on the corner of 10th Street and 104th Avenue in Dawson Creek, BC. The Tender closes March 8th. For more information go the City of Dawson Creek website: www.dawsoncreek.ca/tenders/
(City of Dawson Creek website, February 9, 2011)
Tender for General Contractor Services (Reclamation Water Project)- March 9, 2011
The city of Dawson Creek is inviting bids for General Contractor services for Contract 1 of the Reclamation Water Project. Dawson Creek has partnered with Shell Canada to construct a reclamation water treatment works at the existing Sewage Treatment Plant in Dawson Creek. The project involves site preparation, berm construction and construction of three Submerged Attached Growth Reactors cells. Interested bidders are to submit to Michael Nordquist at mnordquist@mhpm.com.
Below is the link to the bid information and the Receipt Confirmation Form.
Reclamation Water Project Link
Request for Expressions of Interest- Coordinator for the South Peace Economic Development Commission
The South Peace Economic Development Commission is seeking the services of a contract consultant to coordinate the activities and projects of the South Peace Economic Development Alliance. The Commission, established by bylaw of the Peace River Regional District works through the Alliance, which is perceived to be the greater collection of economic development agencies and initiatives supporting economic development throughout the south peace. The Commission is prepared to enter into a 3 year contract with not less than 600 hours of economic development coordination service per year. Coordination service will include the day to day business activities of the Commission, coordination of the activities and projects, and meeting the objectives of the South Peace Economic Development Business Plan.
The links below include the Expression of Interest Letter and the Job Responsibilities Outline for this position.
Opportunities
Restaraunt for Sale or Lease
There is a fully equipped restaurant/catering facility for sale or lease located in Tumbler Ridge, BC. The facility is a 2,500 square foot building located at the Tumbler Ridge Golf and Country Club. The kitchen is newly renovated with state-of-the-art appliances while the restaurant and lounge have been designed with a modern open concept and is fully furnished. There is a large deck overlooking the golf course outfitted with a gas barbecue. For more information please visit the District of Tumbler Ridge website: www.tumblerridge.ca/developmentandplanning
(District of Tumbler Ridge website, February 9, 2011)
