I had a very business-oriented week last week, with visits to two new local businesses, and then Saturday night I attended the Business Excellence Awards.
Each month, I send a letter welcoming each new business in town, and a few are selected for visits.
I had the opportunity to visit both One More Slice Pizza on North Broadway, where the pizza is great, and 3 Gen Cabinetry on Oliver Street, where they offer cabinets, countertops and lighting.
I wish both these new businesses well.
The Business Excellence Awards were phenomenal, as always.
I want to thank the Chamber of Commerce for this initiative, part of its continued dedication to encouraging and recognizing excellence and improvement. Congratulations to all the winners. The fact that the chamber received 91 nominations is more proof that our business community is vibrant and constantly improving. I applaud you all.
Last year, Gibraltar Mine announced a $350-million expansion, and last week at our leader’s table, we had an update showing the positive effect on our employment. The mine has already started to add jobs and currently has about 500 full-time employees.
That number is going to rise to 670 by the end of the year. In addition to 170 more full-time jobs, there are between 60 and 70 contractors working on the site, and that number is expected to rise to 200 or more during the peak of the expansion this summer.
This capital expansion is great news for our community.
Williams Lake celebrates our 83rd birthday on Thursday. I will cut the cake at the museum at 1:30 p.m.
Hope to see you there!
Kerry Cook is the mayor of Williams Lake.