The Port of Prince Rupert made more than $1 billion for Northern B.C.’s economy last year, an economic impact study commissioned by the Prince Rupert Port Authority for the 2016 year reported on Nov. 27.
In 2016, half of the port’s 3,100 direct jobs were located in Prince Rupert, with the other half in Northern B.C. communities including Terrace, Prince George and Smithers, working on transporting $35 billion worth of international goods through the terminal, rail, truck and supply chain. Approximately 5,200 jobs are indirectly related to the port, through businesses that supply and serve port operations.
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The economic impact study said as a result of direct employment in Prince Rupert and the surrounding areas, $260 million of annual earning was injected into the regional economy.
In the 10 years since Fairview Container Terminal’s conversion from a break-bulk facility, operations have expanded to add more than 1,800 jobs, increase annual economic output by more than 260 per cent, and triple annual government revenues through taxes.
The study estimated that 5,400 new jobs will be created in the next decade for port operations.
“Our community has benefitted greatly from the Port’s growth, and we look forward to our continued participation in its bright future,” Harold Leighton, Chief Councillor of the Metlakatla First Nation, said in the press release.
“The last decade reflects our shared vision to become a truly global port city,” Mayor Lee Brain said in the press release. “Prince Rupert is playing a key role in Canada’s growth as a trading nation in the Asia Pacific, and we look forward to what the future has in store.”
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keili.bartlett@thenorthernview.com
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