Another Study on Trade and Manufacturing

Wednesday, July 18, 2007 02:57 PM

Northern Trust is starting a Northwest Trade and Manufacturing Corridor Opportunity Study.

This study will benefit 21 communities along the Highway 16 / CN corridor and a 3.5 hour trucking radius north and south.

Northern Trust says the new container port at Prince Rupert, the expansion of the Prince George Airport and the transportation opportunities provided by the CN Rail line and the local highways provides excellent transportation opportunities for the development of manufacturing along the Yellowhead Highway and in the Cariboo and South Peace regions.

The study will look at how to make this corridor more attractive to new industry, especially since the cost of land is much lower along this corridor compared to other regions. The area also has a labour force and colleges which are forcused to meeting the needs of industry.

The study will be jointly funded by the $50 thousand announced today by Natural Resources Minister Gary Lunn, and contributions from the Canadian Manufacturers and Exporters Association, the provincial government, CN Rail, Port of Prince Rupert, Prince George Airport Authority, Alcan, Initiatives Prince George, and the Edmonton Economic Development Commission.

Colledge Transportation Consulting of Vancouver will conduct the study, the results are expected to be released this fall.

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