Elkford Meeting the demands Elkford is eager to meet the challenges of growing tourism by TANYA LAING MOORE
WILD AT HEART: The mining community of Elkford is ready to welcome the world to the pristine wilderness setting it enjoys. —photo by Tanya Laing Moore
Founded in 1971 as a home for miners working in the newly established Fording Coal company, Elkford remains a community populated and supported mainly by the coal industry—69 per cent of the town’s residents are employed in the mining sector. However, tourism is bringing more visitors to the area than ever before, and the town is working to accommodate this influx.
Increased mining activity and the growing number of investors in search of recreational property have created a housing crunch in Elkford. Currently, there are no available homes on the market, and the town is actively trying to lure developers.
Elkford’s residents enjoy a higher-than-average income, a lower rate of unemployment, and some of the lowest property and municipal taxes in the region. Although below the provincial average, there has been a recent increase in home-based businesses.
Key Elkford contacts
Freedom. Comfort. Peace of mind. When was the last time you leapt a tall building in a single bound? Unless you like spandex, capes and an undisturbed moment in a phone booth, you probably need insurance. Falkins is proud to offer the same great professional service we've provided to the Kootenay region for more than 100 years. Visit us anytime to talk about your insurance needs. With or without your cape.
Falkins Insurance Group Ltd 907 Baker St. Cranbrook, BC PHONE: (250) 426-2205
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Building a tradition of quality From commercial and institutional to industrial and specialized projects, Alfred Horie Construction Ltd. (AHC), has been building a tradition of quality since 1893. Over the past seven years, AHC has begun sharing its experience in the East Kootenay region. The team based in Fernie offers more than 30 years of hands-on expertise and skill in building a diverse range of buildings and homes. The newly renovated McDonalds restaurant in Cranbrook is an excellent example of AHC’s outstanding craftsmanship and unique design concepts.
Alfred Horie Construction Suite 103 5041 Regent St Burnaby, BC PHONE: (604) 291-8156
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Westshore Terminals Westshore Terminals
Located in Vancouver, Westshore Terminals Limited Partnership is Canada's leading coal export facility and the largest dry bulk terminal on the west coast of the Americas. The next two years will be a period of transition for Westshore Terminals. By early 2009, a CDN $45 million equipment upgrade, now underway, will be completed bringing with it greater efficiencies of operation and a higher yearly throughput capacity at 29 million tonnes.
Along the way, Westshore's team will be working hard to meet customer expectations as we fulfill our role as Canada's premier coal export terminal and equip for a better future with faster trail dumping and speedier ship loading.
Westshore Terminals 1 Roberts Bank Delta, BC PHONE: (604) 946-4491
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