The Trust recently took part in the Lower Columbia Initiatives Corporation (LCIC) launch of a new economic development marketing program in Trail, where the LCIC is calling all business people to join them in Metal Tech Alley.
The launch event for the technology and innovation campaign took place in the i4C Innovation building which the Trust recently purchased. Johnny Strilaeff, Columbia Basin Trust President and Chief Executive Officer, spoke at the ribbon cutting about helping bring the pieces together that build economic development opportunities.
“Our approach to economic development at the Trust is to be a catalyst to create opportunities that translate into actions that translate into jobs and growth. We are very excited to be among this group of people who are bringing their ideas to life in Trail and making Metal Tech Alley a reality. Technology is evolving so quickly, and here we have the brightest minds and people who are trying to make our economy grow at the same lightning pace,” Strilaeff said.
“It’s fascinating. It’s collaborative. It’s energizing. It shows how bringing all the right pieces together can advance economic development,” he added.
The Trust developed a new economic development strategic framework in 2016 to take a more proactive role in growing the Basin’s economy and allocated $20 million over three years to put the strategy into action. The Trust purchased a commercial building in the Waneta Industrial Park near Trail and is working with local tech industry entrepreneurs Brian Fry, Pilar Portella and Tim Dufour of i4C Innovations to fill the facility with new jobs and new opportunities.
The Trust has also provided support to LCIC and the MIDAS training facility, and helped bring high-speed fibre to Trail and many other parts of the Basin.
“Those are all just pieces of infrastructure, until you add the work of Terry and the Lower Columbia Initiatives Corporation, the ideas of Brian, Tim and Pilar at i4C, and the drive of the people who are bringing Metal Tech Alley to life. Now it becomes action. It becomes measureable impact,” Strilaeff said.
Learn more about Metal Tech Alley at metaltechalley.com.
