Winter weather testing was at the top of the list of Thompson Unlimited's (TU) priorities for 2010 at their annual general meeting held at thee Burntwood Hotel in Thompson on March 23.
Rick Oberdorfer, president of TU, was unable to attend the meeting, but his president's address was included in the handouts given to attendees. In his message Oberdorfer says he's pleased to see the progress TU has made in last year, claiming winter weather testing has come a long way and urging the board and staff to remain committed to diversifying the economy.
Mark Matiasek, general manager of TU, says 2009 was both a very busy and very successful year. Board members, including Oberdorfer, vice- president Manisha Pandya, secretary-treasurer Dan MacDonald, Penny Byer, Manfred Boehm, Steve Spuzak, David Markham, Charlene Lafreniere and Valerie Wilson, along with staff members Matiasek, development co-ordinator Roxie Binns and administrative assistant Betty Landego have been working on a number of initiatives in the past year. These fell under four categories - an economic diversification strategy, a business retention and expansion strategy, a marketing and promotions strategy and corporate administration and governance.
Under the economic diversification strategy, the board of directors at TU identified three goals that they pursued during 2009. These included promoting Thompson as a regional centre, focusing on cold weather and winter weather testing, and a downtown revitalization initiative. Over the past year TU facilitated exploratory discussions between the executive director of the Environmental Test Research and Educational Centre (EnviroTREC), the jet engine testing facility, and the vice-president of research and development and dean of trades and technology at the University College of the North (UCN) about the possible partnerships and linkages that could exist between the two entities.
TU also participated in three Bayline rail stakeholder meetings to help advance transportation issues of rail service which impact communities on the rail line, and wrote letters of opposition to Greyhound Canada and presented an objection hearing held in June in Thompson by the Manitoba Motor Transport Board in light of the application of Greyhound Canada to discontinue bus and van service between The Pas and Thompson and other places in the North.
As far as winter weather testing goes, TU's goal for 2009 was to continue marketing Thompson's weather and amenities to potential new manufacturers. Matiasek says the administration of the 2008 Community Investment Support Program approved funding has been ongoing. Additional funding was approved under the federal government's program to help grow the winter weather testing industry in Thompson, and consultancies were awarded to identify target industries for winter weather testing services. Matiasek claims TU also played a "formative early role" in the development of the jet engine test facility and continues to provide its assistance in the venture by CanETREC. TU has submitted a funding application in partnership with the Thompson Regional Airport Authority to the Community Adjustment Fund, seeking over $2 million to develop a test track, oval, cold soak pad and hanger to help support the development of the winter weather testing industry. The application is currently under review.
Binns, who was also at the meeting, says this winter's mild weather didn't dampen the spirits of winter weather testing in the North.
"We saw the addition of one new automotive tester in town that's been in this winter, as well as a new diesel company, for a total of 12 companies altogether that have been testing this past year," she explains. "We had five automotive companies, one aviation, three diesel, two recreation companies as well as a heavy equipment company. Some of these companies, when they came to test, also brought other products with them. So we are seeing an expansion in the area of products as well as certain industries."
Binns says TU also had four inquiries from companies about winter weather testing, citing the original introduction to the companies took place at air shows where TU was represented.
TU's downtown revitalization goal was met in part by the City of Thompson providing TU with $15,000 to use to advance downtown initiatives, which included hanging flower pots and banners along major downtown thoroughfares, "re-greening" the downtown core with tree planting on private lands, and placing boulders on a major thoroughfare.
Under TU's business retention and expansion strategy, the organization was contacted by NorMan RDC and advised of preliminary discussions involving a national hotel chain expanding into the Thompson market. Matiasek says TU engaged the contact directly to discuss the opportunity, and a preliminary trip to tour Thompson was arranged. TU then organized a local investors forum involving the director of franchise sales and potential local investors. More meetings w ere held and in the end, agreements were made to bring about a planned 69 room hotel.
TU also participated in a committed that works with Travel Manitoba to develop an experiential Thompson-based tourism package for a group of eight to 12 international buyers travelling to Winnipeg to attend a Canadian tourism conference in May 2010.
Under TU's community works loan fund goal, the organization fielded over 10 requests for information on the loan program and approved four new loans to entrepreneurs for startup, expansion and beautification of local small businesses.
