Chamber says new two-part project will help support local business
Herald file photo.
A new two part project from the Prince Albert & District Chamber of Commerce will help show off local businesses and open marketing opportunities through a local shopping portal.
The concept was created through community collaboration and grant funding from the Federal Government.
“We had an opportunity to apply for a grant that was initially put out for us back in December and we applied for two parts to create two parts that actually work together,” Elise Hildebrandt, CEO of the Prince Albert & District Chamber of Commerce, said.
SASKATOON By the end of 2021, the current lined garbage containment cells at the City of Prince Albert landfill will be full. A new waste conversion company says they want the city to consider using their thermo-chemical technology to extend the life of the new landfill cells. “We don’t burn garbage,” said VDQ-NRG Vice President of Sales James Kernaghan. “VDQ-NRG turns 90 per cent of garbage into clean energy and other products of value.” He’s presented his company to the Prince Albert & District Chamber of Commerce and Prince Albert Regional Economic Development Alliance. Kernaghan says VRQ-NGR plans to meet with Prince Albert city council and city managers in the near future. The company is willing to invest $32 million of private money into a project that will employ 21 fulltime staff. He estimates the plant will get rid of 45,000 tons of waste every year and convert plastics to fuels.
Prince Albert City Council is looking to pay up to $50,000 for a social media marketing campaign that will tell positive stories about Prince Albert.
Councillors voted 5-4 to put the project out to tender during Thursday’s budget deliberations, against the recommendation of their communications manager who advised a similar initiative could be carried out by her office at no additional cost to taxpayers.
Coun. Ted Zurakowski was one of the most vocal advocates of the plan, kicking off discussions Thursday by saying through no fault of its busy communication department, the City had failed to do enough to promote good news about Prince Albert. A new “positive storytelling strategy” would be a major economic driver, benefitting businesses in the city, he said.