CFJC Today Radio Kamloops – Building Systems Plant in the Cariboo
Building Supply Manufacturer Omnitek Eyes Cariboo After Being Squeezed Out of Lower Mainland
Omnitek, a building supply company, is setting its sights on the Cariboo region after facing space constraints in the Lower Mainland. The Port Moody-based firm has identified a 32-acre site near Lone Butte, at 7080 Watch Lake Rd., to establish the Cariboo Industrial Park.
The company’s ambitious plan involves utilizing 14 acres of the land to produce innovative building products, including a wood-based alternative to drywall. The remaining area is earmarked for entrepreneurs interested in processing and marketing the abundant resources of South Cariboo.
The site’s strategic location, sandwiched between a CN freight line and several rural properties, and its proximity to Highway 97, makes it an attractive proposition. The land has a rich history, having previously hosted a lumber mill and Pacific log home-building operations.
Margo Wagner, the Cariboo Regional District chair, expressed her enthusiasm about the new venture. She emphasized the economic benefits of such industries settling in pre-zoned industrial areas.
Gaetan Royer, a board member at Omnitek – Massive Canada, provided insights into the company’s decision to relocate. He cited the acute shortage of industrial properties in Metro Vancouver, which boasts a mere 0.9% industrial vacancy rate. Royer highlighted the changing dynamics in the manufacturing sector, with companies now favoring regions that offer skilled labor and affordable family-oriented living.
Omnitek is gearing up to kickstart construction in the upcoming months and aims to onboard approximately 40 specialized workers. Royer is optimistic about the ripple effects of the project on local communities, from Clinton to 100 Mile House. He emphasized the company’s ethos of adding value to the region, rather than just extracting its resources.
Local leaders, including Willow McDonald of the CRD and Clinton Mayor Susan Swan, have voiced their support and optimism about the project. They believe it holds the potential to rejuvenate the area, drawing in more families and ensuring a prosperous future for the community.
Adapted from an article by CFJC Today.
