S p e c i a l F e a t u r e
throw away from nature and great sports
facilities," says Rick Matthe, owner of
Path—nders Endeavours, a company that
provides clients with a wide range of
resource and asset management services
throughout B.C. and Alberta.
Another one of the region's many
strengths is its accessibility.
The airport is only a short drive away,
and in less than an hour locals could
—nd themselves in Vancouver or Calgary.
In fact, the airport has seen a 30 per
cent increase in passengers over the last
decade, and last year alone, more than
426,700 travellers came to Prince George.
"We have seen a steady increase in
tourism of seven per cent year over year
since 2010," says Hummel.
The Prince George region is also
home to a diverse range of businesses,
and with an unemployment rate lower
than both the provincial and national
averages, there are many employment
opportunities available.
"We have seen an increase in jobs
across the trades. This is a city —lled with
opportunity for young people o†ering
fairly good wages, and the potential for
promotions within companies is very
strong," says Ramona Romanuik,
branch business manager at Chinook
Sca†old Systems Ltd.: the largest supplier
of sca†olding in British Columbia.
"Chinook hired two young tradesmen
in 2013 and both have already moved
up in the company in less than
two years."
Romanuik adds that her husband, an
electrician, has more work than he's ever
had before. "There's excitement about the
future of Prince George unlike what we've
seen in the past."
And much of this excitement stems
from the recovery of the region's forestry
sector, and the number of jobs that the oil
and gas sectors are providing as well.
With a growing economy, a low cost of
living and higher-than-average incomes,
it's easy to see why the sky's the limit in
Prince George.
