Prince George, B.C. – Businesses interested in learning how they might cash in on the construction of the Site C Clean Energy Project gathered at the Coast Inn of the North for a networking session yesterday.

Hosted by the Prince George Chamber of Commerce and BC Hydro, those present had the chance to meet with the main civil works contractor for the project, Peace River Hydro Partners, who will be responsible for the construction of the earthfill dam, two diversion tunnels and a concrete foundation for the generating station and spillways.

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The approximate value of the contract is $1.75 billion, and attracted over 200 companies, including Pacific Coastal Airlines.

“Well we’re here at basically a bidders meeting to do a three minute elevator pitch on why Pacific Coastal Airlines is a good choice to do charter or regular service in support of Site C,” said Kevin Boothroyd, director of business development, while also noting the company hoped to build on the recent launch of its Prince George to Victoria route.

“We need to establish this route first but Site C certainly could speed up the process of opportunity for us and other transportation providers as that project matures.”

Kurt Guess of Trinity Power Rentals, a Vancouver based company that rents temporary electrical equipment for construction site power, also saw the benefits.

“This is going to be an eight or nine year project, so a lot of opportunities, changing throughout that course of time, he said. “A lot of remote location work, that sort of thing.”

And though Bill Bennett, B.C.’s Minister of Energy and Mines has boasted Site C would provide “significant opportunities for local, regional and Aboriginal businesses and workers in the region,” at least one foreign company was here to make its pitch too.

“We’re here trying to get a feel for what the parameters of the project are,” said Brian Akin, sales manager for Portland, Oregon based company Vigor.

“What possible opportunities there are for us as far as the steel fabrication for the gates of the project.”

The networking sessions, which have taken place in cities across northern B.C., wrap up today at the Quesnel Senior Centre. For more information, click here.