UPDATE FROM THE COMPANY!!
I phoned BMSPF CEO Jim Carroll today and asked him several questions RE the past and upcoming events.
In June, the company had plans to start construction on plant #1 in Oct/Nov of this year, what are the delays?
What are the next steps for the Cowichan Lake project?
When will you start construction?
He told me that the original plant # 1 was actually planned for a site up north. The company had been in discussions with the town council up north and was ready to move forward, but the council then decided to wait til after their Nov elections so the newly appointed council members could be involved since it was such a large project. The company was told to resume plans in January since the new council members would be sworn in on Dec 5th. The company plans on making this site up north plant #2 or plant #3
He told me that becuase of this delay, the company decided to push the Cowichan Lake project, which was the smallest of the 3 and originally to be plant #2 or #3 to be the FIRST. The town, Mayor, Ciry Council, and Regional directors have been very receptive to the project and this has allowed the company to move fast on this project.
He said that the officers in the company will be meeting with the Mayor, City Council and the Regional Directors this coming week to discuss the plant going in.
He also said the land BMSPF is purchasing is not in the town city limits but does touch the boundry. The city wants to annex the property into the city in order to reap the benefits of the large tax base the plant would generate. All parties mentioned above are favoring the plant coming to the area. The plant will also bring many jobs to the area.
He told me that while they are in Cowichan Lake next week, that they will be looking for bids from local companies to prepare the land for construction. He said they will need to clear trees and bushes before major site work can begin. He also said those removed trees would be chipped and stored for use in the pellet mill when construction is completed late next year. Very exciting!!!
