Starlee Speers & Betty Selin - Vernon 105.7 SUNFM
While office employees moved-in last May, Tolko officially celebrated the opening of their downtown office building in Vernon Wednesday. President and CEO Al Thorlakson says despite the tough times in forestry, Tolko plans to expand in the future. Work on the 15 million dollar building began two years ago and will be occupied by 140 Vernon office employees. Thorlakson boasts that 100 percent of the project investment was spent in BC including 77 percent in Vernon. He says things won't get better until consumer confidence improves in the US and people start building houses again. Forests Minister Pat Bell says it's a tough marketplace out there but Tolko will survive. Bell says few people realize that Tolko is one of the top five players in the world for solid wood forest products. He says his government is acting on a variety of initiatives to help the struggling forestry industry. Bell says China will be the next big market for BC lumber. Bell says China wants BC lumber, not raw logs.The Minister also announced funding for the Kalamalka research station, while in Vernon, to continue work on how to grow trees faster.
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