Pacific NorthWest LNG celebrated a milestone on Thursday with the opening of the Port Edward community office.
The company held a ribbon cutting ceremony and community barbecue encouraging Port Edward residents to visit the new office, which is located in the former Port Edward elementary school.
“Today we are exciting to establish a physical presence in Port Edward. The community office will be a source of information for residents to have their questions answered by our staff. It will also serve as a working office for the project staff when they are ultimately on site at Lelu Island,” said Greg Kist, president of Pacific NorthWest LNG during the event.
“Communication is very important to us as a company. We’re are committed to providing information to the community here. But we also want to hear from you, your thoughts on the project and how we can contribute to a better Port Edward.”
Port Edward Mayor Dave MacDonald was pleased to see the office open, saying it shows the company’s commitment to the community.
“[Whenever Pacific NorthWest LNG is] asked to do something they do it for the community and area,” said MacDonald, who on behalf of the residents of Port Edward gave a Roth Harvey painting as a gift to the office.
“They’ve been more than willing to listen.”
A final investment decision on the Pacific NorthWest LNG project could be made as early as the end of the year, with Kist saying the company looks forward to establishing “a long, beneficial relationship” with the communities of Port Edward and Prince Rupert, the First Nations of the area and government leaders.
“We understand the importance of listening … not only during the planning stages, but throughout the life of our proposed project,” he said.
The Port Edward Community Office will be open to the public starting Wednesday, June 25, with staff working every Wednesday afternoon from 1 to 4 p.m.
