Local Business

SMRT1 Technologies CEO Brad Pommen celebrates March 16 after his company won $225,000 in funding from Accelerate Okanagan’s 2023 OKGN Angel Summit investment competition. Photo: Submitted

Big investment for Nelson’s SMRT1 Technologies after winning Okanagan competition

The interactive vending machine company earned $225,000 at the OKGN Angel Summit

On Jan. 6, 2023, Vaagen Fibre Canada announced the indefinite shut down of its Midway mill operation. Chris Hammett photo.

Still no plan for reopening of Vaagen Fibre mill in Midway

Rumours surfaced online claiming that a timeline for opening had been revealed

Downtown Grand Forks. Photo by Chris Hammett.

Downtown Business Association shutting down, transferring funds to Regional Chamber of Commerce

Money will “stay downtown” according to Boundary Country Regional Chamber of Commerce

Dan Mcmaster, MSFM, FPF, of Grand Forks (right) receives Professional Forester of the Year award from the Association of BC Forest Professionals’ 75th president, and now past president, Garnet Mierau, RPF at the 75th annual ABCFP forestry conference and AGM, held February 8 - 10 in Prince George. photo submitted Dan Mcmaster, MSFM, FPF, of Grand Forks (right) receives Professional Forester of the Year award from the Association of BC Forest Professionals’ 75th president, and now past president, Garnet Mierau, RPF at the 75th annual ABCFP forestry conference and AGM, held February 8 - 10 in Prince George. photo submitted

Macmaster named Professional Forester of the Year

Dan Macmaster of Grand Forks presented with award from Association of BC Forest Professionals

  • Feb 21, 2023
Dan Mcmaster, MSFM, FPF, of Grand Forks (right) receives Professional Forester of the Year award from the Association of BC Forest Professionals’ 75th president, and now past president, Garnet Mierau, RPF at the 75th annual ABCFP forestry conference and AGM, held February 8 - 10 in Prince George. photo submitted Dan Mcmaster, MSFM, FPF, of Grand Forks (right) receives Professional Forester of the Year award from the Association of BC Forest Professionals’ 75th president, and now past president, Garnet Mierau, RPF at the 75th annual ABCFP forestry conference and AGM, held February 8 - 10 in Prince George. photo submitted
(L-R) Tailout’s head brewer Mary Lusty, Humble Bean owners Mike McLellan and Kimberly Mamos, and Hedin Nelson-Chorney, a founder and the general manager of Tailout Brewing have joined forces to create an espresso stout. Photo: Submitted

Castlegar’s Humble Bean Coffee and Tailout Brewery create one popular stout

Two Castlegar businesses have partnered together to create an espresso stout

(L-R) Tailout’s head brewer Mary Lusty, Humble Bean owners Mike McLellan and Kimberly Mamos, and Hedin Nelson-Chorney, a founder and the general manager of Tailout Brewing have joined forces to create an espresso stout. Photo: Submitted
Antidote general manager Ian Carpendale, chief operating officer Stacy Johnston and CEO Shannon Ross pose at the open house for Antidote Processing in December 2022. Photo: John Boivin

West Kootenay cannabis producers hope new facility will solve industry troubles

Antidote Processing hopes to ship products this spring

Antidote general manager Ian Carpendale, chief operating officer Stacy Johnston and CEO Shannon Ross pose at the open house for Antidote Processing in December 2022. Photo: John Boivin
Two credit unions EKC and Heritage Credit Union will merge, effective January 1, 2023 – and will be operating under the legal name of “StellerVista Credit Union.” (Barry Coulter photo)

East Kootenay Community and Heritage Credit Union merger approved by members

The merger of East Kootenay Community Credit Union (EKC) and Heritage Credit…

Two credit unions EKC and Heritage Credit Union will merge, effective January 1, 2023 – and will be operating under the legal name of “StellerVista Credit Union.” (Barry Coulter photo)
In November, Grand Forks Credit Union (gfcu) hosted Member Information Meetings to help members gain clarity over the proposed merger with Gulf & Fraser. The membership has voted yes to the merger.

Local Credit Union votes yes to merger

Grand Forks Credit Union members vote ‘yes’ to joining Gulf & Fraser merger effective January 1

  • Dec 18, 2022
In November, Grand Forks Credit Union (gfcu) hosted Member Information Meetings to help members gain clarity over the proposed merger with Gulf & Fraser. The membership has voted yes to the merger.
Werner Karsten shows one of the two turtlepod prototypes he brought with him for display at the Walk With Me event in Courtenay, on Nov. 26. The insulated, mobile pods are intended to provide safe shelter for those experiencing homelessness. Photo by Terry Farrell

B.C. man designs ‘turtlepods’ – mobile personal shelter prototypes to assist the unhoused

‘I think of it as supporting urban nomadism.’

Werner Karsten shows one of the two turtlepod prototypes he brought with him for display at the Walk With Me event in Courtenay, on Nov. 26. The insulated, mobile pods are intended to provide safe shelter for those experiencing homelessness. Photo by Terry Farrell
Roughly 55 members were in attendance at the in-person town hall held by gfcu. photo submitted

Grand Forks Credit Union Hosts Information Sessions For the Proposed Merger with Gulf Fraser

Earlier this month, Grand Forks Credit Union (gfcu) hosted Member Information Meetings…

  • Nov 20, 2022
Roughly 55 members were in attendance at the in-person town hall held by gfcu. photo submitted
The 2022 Ktunaxa Business Showcase, held at the Prestige Inn on Thursday, Oct. 27, created an opportunity for Ktunaxa entrepreneurs and artisans to connect and network with regional industries, enhance their brand awareness in the community, and highlight products and services. (Barry Coulter photo)

Ktunaxa business showcase features entrepreneurs, businesses, artisans

Over 31 Ktunaxa businesses, including artisans, were involved in the showcase, and more than a dozen industries came by for the networking opportunities

The 2022 Ktunaxa Business Showcase, held at the Prestige Inn on Thursday, Oct. 27, created an opportunity for Ktunaxa entrepreneurs and artisans to connect and network with regional industries, enhance their brand awareness in the community, and highlight products and services. (Barry Coulter photo)
Our group, as we approach the mill photo:Chris Hammett

Sustainable Forestry in the Boundary Part 2

How the Osoyoos Indian Band and Vaagen are collaborating to regenerate a wildfire-devastated forest

  • Oct 26, 2022
Our group, as we approach the mill photo:Chris Hammett
Leeza Zurwick at her new brewery in Castlegar. Photo: Submitted

Not your typical brewery: Castlegar facility producing probiotic beverages

Happy Gut’s water kefir enterprise is growing

Leeza Zurwick at her new brewery in Castlegar. Photo: Submitted
International best-selling author Roz Nay has opened her own writing school in Nelson. Photo: Tyler Harper

Tricks of the trade: Best-selling Nelson author Roz Nay opens writing school

Nay has published three international thriller hits

International best-selling author Roz Nay has opened her own writing school in Nelson. Photo: Tyler Harper
The still-under construction building in Nelson at 45 Government Rd. was supposed to be home to Nelson Cannabis Collective. Now it will be leased out to tenants after the building is completed. Photo: Bill Metcalfe

Nelson cannabis company scraps plans for processing facility

Nelson Cannabis Collective says it will pivot to leasing out its still-under construction building

The still-under construction building in Nelson at 45 Government Rd. was supposed to be home to Nelson Cannabis Collective. Now it will be leased out to tenants after the building is completed. Photo: Bill Metcalfe
Anita’s Organic Mill co-owner Taylor Gemmel outside the Chilliwack location. (Michelle Gemmel submitted file photo)

Nature’s Path acquires majority interest in Chilliwack organic food business

Largest organic cereal and snack maker buys into Anita’s Organic Mill

Anita’s Organic Mill co-owner Taylor Gemmel outside the Chilliwack location. (Michelle Gemmel submitted file photo)
Baldface Lodge founder and CEO Jeff Pensiero. Photo: Darren Davidson

Baldface Lodge expands operations into Valhallas

Baldface purchased the Valhalla Powdercat ski operation before the pandemic

Baldface Lodge founder and CEO Jeff Pensiero. Photo: Darren Davidson
Grand Forks City Hall. Photo: Kathleen Saylors

Grand Forks city council passes regulations for street vendors

Regulations will not apply to vendors on Market Avenue, Farmers’ Market

Grand Forks City Hall. Photo: Kathleen Saylors
Students from the three schools may be bussed to Stanley Humphries next year. Photo by John Boivin

UPDATE: Two positive COVID-19 cases reported at Castlegar’s high school, more at Brent Kennedy

Exposure at Stanley Humphries Secondary School occurred April 19 - 20, 22

Students from the three schools may be bussed to Stanley Humphries next year. Photo by John Boivin
The first cruise ship of the 2019 season – the Celebrity Eclipse – docks in Victoria. (Black Press Media file photo)

Tourism spending in Canada dropped by almost 50 per cent in 2020

Tourism-related jobs dropped by almost 29 per cent

The first cruise ship of the 2019 season – the Celebrity Eclipse – docks in Victoria. (Black Press Media file photo)