A Kitsumkalum-owned venture is set to be recognized for its outstanding achievement at this year's provincial Aboriginal business awards.
Kalum Quarry Partnership Ltd. is the recipient of the community-owned business of the year, outstanding achievement award at the 2014 BC Aboriginal Business Awards and will be honoured at a gala awards ceremony in Vancouver Oct. 15, according to a Sept. 10 release.
“Entrepreneurial spirit is alive and growing in British Columbia's Aboriginal communities,” said Premier Christy Clark in the release. “The success of our Aboriginal entrepreneurs plays a crucial role in strengthening First Nations communities and our whole economy.”
Kalum Quarry Partnership Ltd. was born from a deal reached years ago between CN Rail and Kitsumkalum to purchase rocks from the band to be used as bedrock for the company's railways. To that end, a rail spur was built in 2012 to transport rock from the quarry, located a few kilometres north of the tracks just west of Terrace, for purchase and pickup by CN.
The high-quality rock from the quarry is also sold locally as cement aggregate mix and road base material.
Presented by the BC Achievement Foundation, the sixth annual BC Aboriginal Business Awards aim to “honour and celebrate business excellence in six categories. A total of 16 Aboriginal businesses, entrepreneurs, joint ventures and community-owned enterprises will be recognized.”
Members of the jury panel include former Tahltan Central Council president Annita McPhee, John Harper of Victoria, and Ruth Williams of Kamloops.