Meeting with Tahsis Business Owners

 

Business Owners Meeting

 

Tahsis Receiving Funding for Infrastructure Projects

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2017 - 2021 FInancial Plan and Capital Plan Public Presentation

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Economic Development Strategy on North Vancouver Island

The communities of Tahsis, Zeballos, Mowachaht/Muchalaht First Nations and Ehattesaht/Chinehkint First Nations are receiving a $91,000.00 grant from the Rural Dividend fund to conduct the environmental assessment and stream crossing engineering work for the multi-purpose trail project linking Tahsis with Zeballos.  This component of the project will provide the communities with the necessary information to seek provincial government approvals for the trail.  In addition to the Rural Dividend funding, the communities have also received $30,000.00 from the Island Coastal Economic Trust for the trail.

Here is the announcement from the BC government: 

 From the News Release Province of BC website: 

CAMPBELL RIVER – Building on the economic benefits and jobs created by getting to yes on major projects and provincial investments in infrastructure, Minister of Forests, Lands and Natural Resource Operations Steve Thomson today announced immediate investments and a long-term action plan outlined in B.C.’s rural economic development strategy that will create jobs and economic opportunities in Campbell River.
Building on our Rural Advantages: B.C.’s Rural Economic Development Strategy outlines the Province’s three-pronged approach to build, strengthen, and diversify rural communities. These investments are expected to support up to 26,600 direct and indirect jobs with an overall impact of $2.8 billion to provincial GDP. Targeted initiatives include $40 million to expand and enhance high-speed Internet and an extension of the $25-million Rural Dividend Fund to reinvigorate and diversify more local economies. These will ensure British Columbians in all regions of the province have the opportunity for good-paying jobs and a high quality of life in their community.
To strengthen the Province’s commitment to supporting rural communities and in recognition of the unique challenges and opportunities they face, Cariboo-Chilcotin MLA Donna Barnett was recently appointed Minister of State for Rural Economic Development.  Building on our Rural Advantages delivers on a key priority in the minister of state’s mandate letter.
With the release of Building on our Rural Advantages, the Province is also making targeted investments that will benefit rural communities throughout B.C., including Campbell River:

• $15 million over three years for trades equipment in B.C. secondary schools so students can explore the trades earlier in their education, including $716,400 in Campbell River.
• $7.5 million over three years to upgrade BC Wildfire Service facilities throughout the province, including the Quinsam fire base, creating jobs and improving safety in rural communities.
• More than $871,700 under the Rural Dividend Fund for projects in six communities, including:
  • $500,000 for the Regional District of Mount Waddington to develop a strategic economic development plan to create jobs in the forestry sector,
  • $100,000 for the Nanwakolas Council Society to deliver job readiness and skills training to youth,
  • $91,720 for the Village of Zeballos to develop local trails,
  • $90,000 for the Dzawada’enuxw First Nation to hire and train local workers and develop an overnight accommodation business in Kingcome Village,
  • $80,000 for the Village of Port Alice to support the redevelopment, expansion, and increased services for a campground, and
  • $10,000 for Port McNeill Kids in Motion Society to develop a summer camp geared for local youth with a focus on physical activity, health, and nutrition.

The rural strategy is a key commitment of the 5-Year Jobs Plan Update, which recognized the need for focused action to support rural communities. The new targeted actions outlined in the strategy build on the significant investments in Balanced Budget 2017 and respond to what government heard directly from British Columbians living in rural communities. To that end, the strategy includes immediate investments that will lay the foundation for economic diversification in rural B.C.:

• A significant $40 million investment to extend high-speed Internet access to rural and remote B.C. communities, bringing faster broadband speeds that will create new economic opportunities and lay the foundation for new investment and jobs in B.C.’s burgeoning tech industry.
• Extending the $25 million per-year Rural Dividend Fund for a fourth year to support the strength and sustainability of small rural communities.
• $150 million for the Forest Enhancement Society of British Columbia to plant tens of millions more trees, which will help fight climate change and create over 3,000 jobs in rural British Columbia.
• Begin phasing out provincial sales tax on electricity purchases by reducing it to 3.5 per cent on Oct. 1, 2017, and eliminating it by April 1, 2019. This will improve business competitiveness and economic performance, especially for resource industries that are key to rural B.C. such as commercial agriculture, forestry and mining.
• Reduce the small business tax rate to 2% from 2.5%, effective April 2017, which means B.C. will have the second-lowest small business tax in Canada.

Bring Out Your Dead! (cars)

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Old Firehall for Sale

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Letter from Claire Trevena, MLA

Last month, our MLA, Claire Trevena has asked for our thoughts and opinions on the issue of connectivity.  Here is her letter.  To respond, contact her at:

Toll Free: 1-866-387-5100 or
Claire.trevena.mla@leg.bc.ca

In my continued campaign to ensure that households and businesses across the North Island have access to true high speed, broadband internet I am putting together a profile of the constituency for government and the large internet providers.

I hope that having a constituency wide business case will assist in persuading both Ministers and corporations for the need for 21^st century level of connectivity.

I would be very appreciative of your assistance in this matter and wondered if you could share with me your experiences with the lack of access.

In particular I am interested in:

n  The impact on individual business in your community – both existing and potential. For instance, what are the daily struggles businesses face by not having the speedy connection? Have new businesses have mentioned connectivity in their decision to either come, or not come, to your community?

n  The impact on education – both in the classroom, for homework and for distance learning.  Do your students have equity of access compared with those in the urban centres; how much reliance is there on connectivity for out of school projects? Are problems with connectivity affecting educational outcomes? How many people are doing, or have given up because of internet access, distance education?

n  The impact on quality of life. Are people choosing to leave or choosing not to settle in community because of problems with connectivity? Are people losing access to benefits and programmes because of inability to connect?

n  The impact on tourism. Are there any quantative reports on whether connectivity plays into tourists choosing to come or not come to the North Island; have there been anecdotal reports?


I know that you are very busy but would very much appreciate if you could help in any way that you can.


I look forward to hearing from you.

Yours sincerely,

Claire Trevena, MLA

North Island

Shared Vision Statement

 

From the Civic Info BC website:  

Gold River, Mowachaht / Muchalaht, Tahsis Sign Shared Vision Statement

Gold River, Mowachaht Muchalaht First Nation, Tahsis

GOLD RIVER - On Thursday March 17, 2016, the Village of Gold River, along with the Mowachaht Muchalaht First Nation and the Village of Tahsis signed a shared Vision Statement solidifying their commitment to work together to enhance the well-being of each community and the region.

This historic step forward unites the three communities by enabling collaborative participation through shared values, respect and a newly established working relationship. The new relationship will strengthen their ability to pursue business and economic development strategies for the betterment of their residents, members and businesses.

The Vision Statement states, in part:

“We are progressive communities that share a desire to responsibly manage our natural resources in a manner that will stimulate new business opportunities and develop a diversified economy whilst always respecting each other.”

“This is a defining moment in the long history of the Mowachaht Muchalaht First Nation.  This Vision Statement reflects the truth of the respectful, trusting and mutually beneficial relationships with our valued Tahsis and Gold River neighbors,” said Chief Mike Maquinna of the Mowachaht Muchalaht First Nation Council of Chiefs.

“Revitalizing our local and regional economy in a sustainable way requires working closely with the Mowachaht Muchalaht First Nation and the Village of Tahsis.  We know that open and meaningful relationships are fundamental to our economic growth,” said Mayor Brad Unger of Gold River.

“We are stronger together than apart,” said Mayor Jude Schooner of Tahsis.  “We have put into our daily lives the relationship and reconciliation that is often talked about but not always delivered.  We have done it here.”

The communities will now work on a Co-operation Agreement to implement key aspects of the Vision Statement.

The Vision Statement was a product of a series of Community to Community meetings made possible by funding from the Government of British Columbia.

Michael McGee, Administrator
Mowachaht Muchalaht First Nation
(250) 283-2015

Larry Plourde, Administrator
Village of Gold River
(250) 283-2202

Mark Tatchell, Chief Administrative Officer
Village of Tahsis
(250) 934-6344

Amber Zirnhelt Workshop

On Thursday, November 19th at 7 pm, Tahsis welcomes Amber Zirnhelt, a community planner, motivational speaker and former professional downhill mountain bike racer.  

What is your passion? 

How can you contribute to making your community a great place? 

Do your opinion and actions really matter?

This interactive 90 minute workshop will motivate you to get involved and contribute to real community change. Learn ways to encourage others to become active community members.
Participants will discuss their vision for the future in Tahsis and brainstorm strategies for contributing to community change. Learn how and why your interests and skills are important
for your community.

Date: Thursday, November 19
7 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.
Location: Tahsis Rec Centre
Free of Charge

Tahsis Featured in the Province

An article by Paul Luke in the Province about BC's tiniest towns, featuring Tahsis and four other tiny towns.   

TAHSIS: Former mill town beckons retirees

A Thanksgiving storm sealed Jude and Scott Schooner’s fate when it blew their sailboat into Tahsis 15 years ago.

The Schooners needed shelter from the winter storms and jobs to replenish their ­depleted funds.
They found much more than work — they found home. After a dozen years living in Terrace, Nova Scotia-born Jude fell in love with the remote village on the west coast of Vancouver Island.

Ten years ago, the Schooners launched a business catering to scuba divers, kayakers and hikers.
Jude, 62, now serves as mayor of the village of 315. 

That population soars by about 1,000 in the summer as visitors and absentee homeowners flock to Tahsis for its sport fishing, kayaking, hiking and caving.

Tahsis has a compelling combination of affordability and access to pristine wilderness, Schooner says.
“We’re the tomorrow of British Columbia,” she says.

“We get retirees who can sell their homes in other municipalities and with the revenue they gain put themselves into a lower-cost home in Tahsis and put the surplus funds away to see them through their years,” she says.

Detached homes currently sell for $40,000-$50,000, she says.

Tahsis has been working to make a transition to a tourism-based economy since its last sawmill closed in the early years of this century. The 62-kilometre gravel road linking it to Highway 19 is at once an attraction to tourists — wildlife sightings are plentiful along the road — and a deterrent to potential residents who need to live closer to medical resources.

The village, which had been home to about 2,500 people at its peak, is blessed with facilities such as a well-equipped rec centre.

But the village’s infrastructure is aging at a time the provincial government has been downloading responsibility for services, Schooner says.

“In the days of the mills, our councils spent money like drunken sailors ... and put nothing into surplus because they thought the mills would last forever,” she says. “We now know that wasn’t realistic.``

For the full feature on the other 4 towns, click here:
 

B. C.`s tiniest towns set sights on growth and reinvention

The Beginnings of a New Garden

The Village of Tahsis has donated some old concrete garbage bins to the Tahsis Farm to School Program at CMESS where they will become excellent planters for the new herb garden!  Thanks to Erv and Corky for maneuvering these heavy items into place yesterday.  These guys make it look so easy!

Thanks for supporting local eating, local food production, reducing and reusing waste materials, and beautifying the town, all these goals are mentioned in our new Economic Development Action Plan.
 

Erv brings the planters over two at a time

Corky directs the placement

Imagine these filled with things like parsley, scallions, rosemary, tarragon, thyme and rosemary... all to be included in our Farm to School Lunch Program and our Breakfast Club of Canada Program!

  

Economic Development Meeting

The Commitee of the Whole meeting on the final strategy is today in council chambers at 2 pm.

Short notice, but it would be great if many people came out to show support for this plan and encourage each other to get cracking!

Photo from Village of Tahsis website

 

In Like a Lion

March is looking like a whirlwind of activity here in Tahsis!  Get your calendars out!

Happy St. David's Day!

Tuesday, March 3rd at 7 pm is the regular Village of Tahsis COUNCIL MEETING.  After our Economic Development plans have been announced, it's a good idea to attend council meetings to give village  council and staff the encouragement to get these initiatives up and running.

Wednesday, March 4th from 2 - 3 pm at the library there is a free event, an eLIBRARY LAB.  Unlock the power of your library!  Learn about some of the new digital services available through the library. Read magazines on your computer or tablet with Zinio. Stream movies or music with Hoopla. Read newspapers from around the world with PressDisplay.

Wednesday, March 4th at 3:30 pm at the Library there is a free event, a GENEALOGY WORKSHOP.  Whether you are a seasoned genealogist or have a budding interest in your family's history, this workshop will offer research tips and look at some of the key resources available at your library and beyond.  For more information call VIRL Tahsis Branch at (250) 934-6621

Friday, March 6th at 2:45 pm at CMESS there is a fundraising CAKEWALK, all are welcome, there's even going to be a cheesecake round.  There may be extra baked goods to purchase too.

Sunday, March 8th:  A big MEET AND GREET event at the Tahsis Rec. Centre:

Sunday, March 8th at the Recreation Centre, the CMESS Grads are selling PIZZA by the slice for $2 during a free movie showing from 7-9 pm. 

Thursday, March 12th Enjoy Tia's mom's homemade PEROGIES for school lunch, $4 an order with the option of a $2 mini vanilla milkshake also.  Larger dinner orders available for $8, call Tia (6504) to arrange dinner delivery.  Freezer orders available for $6 without the onions and bacon.     

Sunday, March 15th at 6:30 pm in the school gym, the Tahsis Lions Club and the CMESS Grads are hosting BINGO.  Prizes are turkeys and hams, etc.  Lots of fun!  There will be tea, coffee and concession items for sale also.

Monday, March 16th The Tahsis Literacy Society is sponsoring UKRAINIAN EASTER EGG DECORATION with instructor Pat O'Connell.  3:30 - 5:30 pm for youth under the age of 12, at the school.  Please bring 6 raw white eggs and wear old clothes.  

Tuesday, March 17th The Tahsis Literacy Society is sponsoring UKRAINIAN EASTER EGG DECORATION with instructor Pat O'Connell, 6 - 9 pm for ages 12 and older, at the school.  Please bring 6 raw white eggs and wear old clothes.

Friday, March 20th The Tahsis Community Garden Society is having our AGM at 7 pm at the school.  For more information about renting a garden bed for the season please call me (Karli) at 7805.

Saturday, March 21st is the start of the Spring Break and a special Bon Voyage (or should I say ¡Buen viaje!) goes out to the 8 CMESS students who are heading to Mexico for an incredible 12 day experience, working with disadvantaged children, studying Spanish, visiting Mayan sites, and a mangrove wetlands flamingo habitat.

Important Presentation from Mowachaht Muchalaht First Nation

Changing the Landscape

During the community gathering to go over the new Economic Development Action Plan, we were able to listen to a presentation from the Mowachaht Muchalaht First Nation about the history of our area, the current challenges and the future plans and actions being taken now for the benefit of the MMFN territory and Tahsis, which is part of that territory.  

Mowachaht Muchalaht First Nation was represented at the Economic Development meeting in Tahsis by Chief Larry Andrews - Elder Advisor to the Council of Chiefs, Chief Patrick James, and Michael McGee who presented the information, and spoke eloquently about the exciting outcomes if we work together to face our challenges.  

Thank you so much for coming to Tahsis and sharing your information with the community!

Here is the link to the Mowachaht Muchalaht First Nation presentation for Tahsis:

  Changing the Landscape 

from left front clockwise, Kathy, Brenda, Doug, Michael, Randy, Jude and George
meeting after the presentations.

Tahsis Economic Development Strategy and Action Plan

I encourage all Tahsis residents to check out the Action Plan presented by George and his team at the Rec. Centre last Tuesday.  This is an exciting time for Tahsis as we look to the future!

Tahsis Economic Development Strategy and Action Plan 

Community Presentation Feb 24, 2015

For more information, contact:

George Penfold, M.Sc.
Community Planning and Development Consulting
Phone: (250) 941-1384
Email: geo.penfold@gmail.com

Doug Chapman, Chief Finance Officer
Village of Tahsis
977 South Maquinna Drive , P.O. Box 219
Tahsis, BC, V0P 1X0
Phone: (250) 934-6344
Email: dchapman@villageoftahsis.com

Tahsis Action Plan Draft and Upcoming Event

The Tahsis Economic Development Strategy and Action Plan Draft is now up for viewing on the Village of Tahsis Website.  Here is the link.  

Tahsis Economic Development Strategy – Upcoming Event

 The process of development of an Economic Development Strategy and Action Plan for the Village of Tahsis is in its final stages. This Economic Development Strategy will be the foundation of future local economic planning and policy, in alignment with the 2010 OCP, and other Village planning initiatives.

Community workshops involving residents, landowners and businesses have been conducted, a community survey has been completed and a background report has been prepared.

Based on that input, a Draft Economic Development Strategy and Action Plan has been prepared by the consultants, George Penfold of Comox, and Steve Nicol and Randy Sunderman of Lions Gate Consulting Inc. in Vancouver.

The Draft Strategy and Action Plan will be presented at a community open house and meeting as follows:

February 24, 

Tahsis Community Centre - Open House, 4:30 p.m. - 7:30 p.m. 

Community Meeting, 7:30 p.m. - 9:00 p.m. 

The Open House will be informal opportunity to review the proposed strategies and discuss them or any of the related background information and reports with the project consultants. At the meeting, the consultants will present a summary of the Economic Development Strategy and Action Plan. There will also be discussion about the proposed strategies and their implementation.

The Draft Strategy and Action plan can be found on line at
  Tahsis Economic Development Strategy and Action Plan Draft.

Paper copies are also available at the Village office and Library

Tahsis Economic Development Strategy and Action Plan Strategy Framework

A couple of weeks ago, George Penfold (he and his team are working with the village on our economic development) gave a presentation to council to outline the Tahsis Economic Development Strategy and Action Plan Strategy Framework.

A copy is now up on the village website.  

A community open house and meeting to review a draft strategy will be held on February 24th at the Tahsis Recreational Centre.  A meeting notice with the time and a copy of the draft will be posted shortly.  

And now a few photos to remind the rest of Canada what weather we are facing at the moment: 

  

Great new Tahsis Resource Business!

Congratulations to Tahsis resident Harmony Nielsen, who has just become a Realtor with Royal Lepage Advance Realty Ltd.  Here is her facebook page with more information, or call Harmony at (250) 934-5583.   

From the website:  

Hello everyone!

Welcome to my Facebook page. Here you’ll find another way to connect and stay in touch with me. I have set up this page to offer you current and relevant real estate related resources along with thought inspiring articles and also, from time to time, links to key properties in Tahsis that may be of interest to you or someone you know.

Tahsis, BC is a beautiful little village on the rugged West Coast of Vancouver Island, located 2 hours northwest of Campbell River. Nestled between mountains and the ocean, it is a beautiful little community with rugged landscapes, amazing wildlife, world class fishing, and gorgeous views. I have been a resident of Tahsis for 11 years and and for the first 7 of these years, I worked full-time for the Village of Tahsis Municipal Office. A large part of this job was dealing with municipal bylaws, therefore I developed an extensive knowledge of our zoning and subdivision bylaws,lot plans and mapping,as well as the Official Community Plan.

This background and knowledge,accompanied by determination and focus, gives me a great foundation for my career as a Realtor®.

Whether you are a buyer looking for a full time or vacation home in Tahsis and surrounding area, or if you are looking to sell your property, I would love the opportunity to work with you and to give 100% of my efforts to make your dreams turn into reality.

"Local Realtor®....Local Knowledge"

Community Economic Development Strategies

Recently, the village of Tahsis has been working with George Penfold and his company to come up with strategies for improving our economic development potential for the future of our village.  There is some new information on the village website from the community consultations and the community survey results.

Here are the Tahsis Community Economic Development Strategy Workshop Notes from November 19 2014.

Here are the Tahsis Business Workshop Notes from November 20 2014.

Here are the Tahsis Goals and Strategies Community Workshop from December 10 2014.

Here is the Tahsis Background Report from January 2015.

Here are the Tahsis Economic Development Strategy Community Survey results.

There is a lot of interesting information here, and many good ideas for our unique challenges we face for the future of Tahsis.  I encourage everyone to be involved in the process, if possible so we can cooperate together to help our village flourish.

From George Penfold, via the Village of Tahsis Website:

In line with the OCP (Official Community Plan), the objectives for the community’s future development are:

• To grow and diversify the Village’s economic base;

• To promote a local economy that compliments its rich resource-based nature, the history, the culture, and the natural characteristics of the Village and surrounding area;

• To facilitate economic development through the improvement of regional transportation links and the provision of an enhanced level of telecommunication support, community services, and tourist amenities;

• To facilitate the continued expansion of the region’s growing eco-tourism industry.

In part 3 of the OCP under Economic Development Strategies the OCP states the following are mentioned: “Over the life of this plan, the Village of Tahsis will continue to make a transition from a primary resource economy to a tourist and service based economy.

The Village of Tahsis has engaged George Penfold Community Planning and Development Consulting from Comox BC, in association with Lions Gate Consulting Inc. from Vancouver BC to prepare the Economic Development Strategy and Action Plan for the Village of Tahsis.

The project approach to this project includes 11 steps:

• Consultants meeting with Council and staff

• Initial Community Consultation

• Preparation of a Background Report

• Non-resident survey

• Second Community Consultation

• Meeting with Council and Staff

• Development of a Strategic Plan Framework

• Review the Draft Framework with Council and Staff

• Prepare a Draft Economic Development Strategy

• Community Open House/Workshop

• Undertake pre-feasibility analysis of priority actions

• Prepare and Present the Final Economic Development Strategy Report

Community workshops on the Tahsis Economic Development Strategy took place in November and December. Summaries of those workshops are now available (see downloads in the sidebar.) Over the fall, we conducted an on-line survey. We received 75 responses to that survey, and a summary of the survey results is also available

We also put together a background report on the Village and area that includes the socio economic data that is available, as well as an overview of the various economic sectors that have the greatest impact on the Village A draft of that report is also available.

With that information in hand, we gathered together a “long list” of all the ideas about initiatives that should be included in the Economic Development Strategy and Action Plan. It is a very long wish list. What we have had to do is ask “which of these initiatives can council act on given the limited financial and staff resources available to the municipality and the community, and which of those could have the biggest positive impact?”

This is a difficult step. Because the municipality (council) was identified as the key organization in the community to deal with implementation of the Strategy, we are taking our first attempt at developing and applying a “framework” to evaluate and sort the long list to council in late January. With their input, we will make any necessary revisions to the framework and put together a draft Economic Development Strategy and Action Plan, to present to the community in February. We have not yet established the date for the community presentation, but will send out a notice when that is decided, and will post a copy of the Draft Strategy on this site.

If you have questions or would like more information, Contact:

George Penfold, M.Sc.
Community Planning and Development Consulting
Phone: (250) 941-1384
Email: geo.penfold@gmail.com

Doug Chapman, Chief Finance Officer
Village of Tahsis
977 South Maquinna Drive , P.O. Box 219
Tahsis, BC, V0P 1X0
Phone: (250) 934-6344
Email: dchapman@villageoftahsis.com