Local Business

A merger between Nanaimo-based Taste of B.C. Aquafarms and Blue Star Foods of Miami, Fla., will scale up land-based fish farm steelhead production on the mid Island. (Photo submitted)

Nanaimo fish farm plans to scale up production 15 times thanks to US deal

Taste of B.C. Aquafarms was acquired by Miami, Fla.’s Blue Star Foods Corp. earlier this year

Dog Mountain Brewing owners Andy Richards and Robin Miles, from left, and Twin City Brewing owner Aaron Colyn show off their awards (gold and bronze, respectively) from the Canadian Brewing Awards in Quebec City in September. (PHOTO COURTESY DOG MOUNTAIN BREWING)

Port Alberni brewers win big at national brewing competition

Brewers also noticed at annual Growlies, voted on by public

Agriculture Minister Lana Popham, left, and Port Alberni Port Authority (PAPA) chair Shelley Chrest cut the ribbon at the grand opening for Dock+, the food hub at the former Port Fish plant by Tyee Landing, on Friday, Oct. 1, 2021. (MIKE YOUDS/ Special to the AV News)

The Dock+ food hub fuels appetites and innovation in Port Alberni

The new food hub formally opened with a showcase of vendors

  • Oct 5, 2021
Representatives from Tseshaht First Nation accept the $10,000 donation at the Catalyst Port Alberni mill. (SUBMITTED PHOTO)

Paper Excellence makes $10,000 donation for residential school memorial in Port Alberni

Tseshaht First Nation is raising funds to honour residential school survivors and victims

Representatives from Tseshaht First Nation accept the $10,000 donation at the Catalyst Port Alberni mill. (SUBMITTED PHOTO)
Phyllis Shaw from Aunties Chumus Indian Tacos cleans salmon (springs) she purchased in order to give away the eggs, or roe, for upsqwii. Shaw and her family operated a popular concession at the Alberni District Fall Fair Sept. 10–12, 2021, that featured a five-pound Indian Taco-eating contest. (SUSAN QUINN/ Alberni Valley News)

Tacos with an Indigenous twist drew crowds to Alberni District Fall Fair

Phyllis Shaw and family hope to open a pop-up takeout spot, dream of food truck

Phyllis Shaw from Aunties Chumus Indian Tacos cleans salmon (springs) she purchased in order to give away the eggs, or roe, for upsqwii. Shaw and her family operated a popular concession at the Alberni District Fall Fair Sept. 10–12, 2021, that featured a five-pound Indian Taco-eating contest. (SUSAN QUINN/ Alberni Valley News)
Tugboats and pod dozers are an integral part of the forestry industry, despite the fact they are marine-based vessels. (SUSAN QUINN/ Alberni Valley News)

FORESTRY WEEK: Company performs a century of engineering feats

Canadian Maritime Engineering has built boats for forestry companies since pre-1920s

Tugboats and pod dozers are an integral part of the forestry industry, despite the fact they are marine-based vessels. (SUSAN QUINN/ Alberni Valley News)
Crews working with the Alberni Valley Community Forest piled waste wood close to the roadside to provide easy access for the public to cut firewood. (PHOTO COURTESY AVCF)

FORESTRY WEEK: Alberni Valley Community Forest sees increased use

Trail system showcases biodiversity of Alberni Valley’s forests, AVCF practices

Crews working with the Alberni Valley Community Forest piled waste wood close to the roadside to provide easy access for the public to cut firewood. (PHOTO COURTESY AVCF)
Forestry is still an important resource industry for the province of British Columbia. (PHOTO COURTESY ABCFP)

FORESTRY WEEK: Island Wood Industries forum comes to Alberni Valley

Tseshaht First Nation will host one-day VIEA event

Forestry is still an important resource industry for the province of British Columbia. (PHOTO COURTESY ABCFP)
Forest professionals are an integral part of the health of B.C.’s publicly managed forests, says the CEO of the Association of BC Forest Professionals. (SUBMITTED PHOTO)

FORESTRY WEEK: Field of forestry is not just about trees, it’s about people too

Forestry professionals have a broad view of forest management, says CEO

Forest professionals are an integral part of the health of B.C.’s publicly managed forests, says the CEO of the Association of BC Forest Professionals. (SUBMITTED PHOTO)
Forestry volunteers explain the finer points of seedlings to students in Grades 4 and 5 during the 2017 National Forest Week field trip to McLean Mill National Historic Site. (KARLY BLATS/ AV News file photo)

FORESTRY WEEK: Forest renewal, sustainability are 2021’s lessons

Volunteers are bringing the woods to classrooms with interpretive activity kits

Forestry volunteers explain the finer points of seedlings to students in Grades 4 and 5 during the 2017 National Forest Week field trip to McLean Mill National Historic Site. (KARLY BLATS/ AV News file photo)
Theodore Naim is the owner of 24 Hour Club, specializing in sought-after name brand sneakers and streetwear. (TERESA BIRD/ Alberni Valley News)

BUSINESS BEAT: New shops bringing fresh looks to Port Alberni

From sneakers to screenprinting to barbering, new stores mean opportunity

Theodore Naim is the owner of 24 Hour Club, specializing in sought-after name brand sneakers and streetwear. (TERESA BIRD/ Alberni Valley News)
The Coastal Log Scaling program will be returning to North Island College in October 2021. (SUBMITTED PHOTO)

Coastal Log Scaling program returns to North Island College

Program is delivered in a blended format, with online and in-person classes

The Coastal Log Scaling program will be returning to North Island College in October 2021. (SUBMITTED PHOTO)
Ella Downing and Jacob O’Riain have opened the Off-Grid Camper Cafe in a camper van at Clutesi Haven Marina. (TERESA BIRD PHOTO)

BIZ BEAT: Trio of new businesses opening in Port Alberni

Coffee, campers and country chic in the Alberni Valley

Ella Downing and Jacob O’Riain have opened the Off-Grid Camper Cafe in a camper van at Clutesi Haven Marina. (TERESA BIRD PHOTO)
Kamal Sanghera, left, co-owner of San Group of Companies, shakes hands with Wahmeesh Ken Watts, elected chief councillor of Tseshaht First Nation, after signing a memorandum of understanding over forestry and cultural issues with the nation. (SUBMITTED PHOTO)

San Group, Tseshaht First Nation sign MOU

The company is interested in growing its relationship with Tseshaht on forestry and cultural issues

Kamal Sanghera, left, co-owner of San Group of Companies, shakes hands with Wahmeesh Ken Watts, elected chief councillor of Tseshaht First Nation, after signing a memorandum of understanding over forestry and cultural issues with the nation. (SUBMITTED PHOTO)
One of Coulson Aviation’s aerial firefighting CH-47D Chinook helicopters hovers over the runway at the Alberni Valley Regional Airport on Monday, Aug. 9, 2021. The Chinook has been on Vancouver Island for about a week after spending time in Washington State, according to its flight history. (PHOTO COURTESY BILL MCLEOD)

B.C.-based Coulson Aviation hits milestones with firefighting in U.S.

Company’s aircraft back in California for third year in a row

One of Coulson Aviation’s aerial firefighting CH-47D Chinook helicopters hovers over the runway at the Alberni Valley Regional Airport on Monday, Aug. 9, 2021. The Chinook has been on Vancouver Island for about a week after spending time in Washington State, according to its flight history. (PHOTO COURTESY BILL MCLEOD)
Mike Surrell of Lady Rose Marine Services purchased the MV Tenaka from BC Ferries in 2016 to add a second vessel to his passenger and freight service in Port Alberni. NEWS FILE PHOTO

End of an era for Vancouver Island as Lady Rose Marine Services announces closing

Final voyage between Port Alberni and Bamfield scheduled for Aug. 31

Mike Surrell of Lady Rose Marine Services purchased the MV Tenaka from BC Ferries in 2016 to add a second vessel to his passenger and freight service in Port Alberni. NEWS FILE PHOTO
The blueberry bushes are lush at Cox Lake Blueberry Farm in Port Alberni right now, as farmer Mark Murray will attest. The farm on Franklin River Road is still open for u-pick and ready-picked blueberry sales. (SUSAN QUINN/ Alberni Valley News)

Blueberry farm flourishes in the Alberni Valley

Original owners return to Cox Lake farm for retirement

The blueberry bushes are lush at Cox Lake Blueberry Farm in Port Alberni right now, as farmer Mark Murray will attest. The farm on Franklin River Road is still open for u-pick and ready-picked blueberry sales. (SUSAN QUINN/ Alberni Valley News)
The proposed plans for a new Wendy’s restaurant in Port Alberni. (PHOTO COURTESY COLLABOR8 ARCHITECTURE + DESIGN)

Wendy’s coming to Alberni Mall

Restaurant will be located in what is now mall’s parking lot

The proposed plans for a new Wendy’s restaurant in Port Alberni. (PHOTO COURTESY COLLABOR8 ARCHITECTURE + DESIGN)
DIGITAL Design & Development students Montana Pistell and Jesse Peltonen work in the digital design and development lab at NIC’s Comox Valley campus. (SUBMITTED PHOTO)

North Island College launches digital design and development post-grad programs

Web and mobile app developers in ‘high demand’

DIGITAL Design & Development students Montana Pistell and Jesse Peltonen work in the digital design and development lab at NIC’s Comox Valley campus. (SUBMITTED PHOTO)
Tseshaht Lead Beach Keeper Hank Gus says he’s looking forward to sharing the Broken Group Islands origin story with visitors. Gus has been a Beach Keeper for nine years. (Tseshaht First Nation photo)

Tseshaht First Nation re-opens Broken Group Islands with refreshed Beach Keepers Program

To help sustain the program, tour operators are encouraged to implement a $10 per day per guest fee

Tseshaht Lead Beach Keeper Hank Gus says he’s looking forward to sharing the Broken Group Islands origin story with visitors. Gus has been a Beach Keeper for nine years. (Tseshaht First Nation photo)