New plant to create 60 jobs

By Lisa Gervais, Lindsay Post

A wood pellet plant near Kirkfield will create about 60 new jobs when it opens later this Spring.
Woodville Pellet Corporation is a private enterprise that includes the backing of prominent Bobcaygeon businessman Charlie Pitcher.

The plan is to initially produce 60,000 tons of wood pellets, using wood waste material, for heating to the Ontario market. Woodville Pallet Corporation vice-president sales and marketing, Bruce Nagy, shared details with The Lindsay Post this week.

Nagy said the company hopes to create more than 60 new jobs in the first year of operation and up to 80-plus jobs by year three when output is expected to double. The jobs are in the plant and in transportation. "It's all new jobs although a handful of people have been on the payroll for a few months," Nagy said.

He added the total did not include temporary construction jobs. The company's request for a rezoning application - to build a new 2,323 sq.m. material storage building and eventually a 524 sq. m. extension to the east side of an existing warehouse building - comes before council on March 23.

Nagy is hopeful the company can start advertising positions in six weeks' time, hire 20 people "right off the bat" and hold a ribbon-cutting ceremony as early as May. In the meantime, the private investors are chasing government money in the hopes of a partnership.

"I think it's obvious that the various governments are very interested in getting involved in new economy businesses and this is very much a new economy business," Nagy said. He said the slowdown in the building industry in the USA has had a direct effect on lumber mills in Ontario, Quebec and BC.

He said governments are looking for alternatives and a wood pellet plant in BC is being jointly funded by the private sector, economic stimulus money and a bank. Nagy said he is very excited about the Kirkfield area plant but is also exercising cautious optimism "because the schedule keeps getting pushed back."However, he thinks that is about to change.

"Three months from now I think we will have pellets coming out of the plant."

Real Local Success!
Andrew Cunday


Andrew Cunday Came to VCCS in the summer of 2009 seeking an employer to aid him in continuing his apprenticeship as an Automotive Service Technician. He had gained experience with his previous employer through the Ontario Youth Apprenticeship Program (OYAP) which allows high school students to gain apprenticeship hours while simultaneously obtaining co-op credits towards their high school diploma.

Through the OYAP program, Andrew gained valuable workplace experience and on-the-job training in an automotive repair shop. Andrew had a desire to continue his learning as he had an obvious knack for mechanical work. Through the assistance of Job Connect and Job Development Placement Services he was able to access a subsidized training placement with Dalemar Sales and Service in Oakwood.

Dalemar owner Bob Bassett saw potential in Andrew as a small engine mechanic apprentice due to his experience working with cars and trucks. Andrew is now registered as an apprentice small engine mechanic and continues to use his transferable skills as he becomes a valuable member of the Dalemar team, gaining important knowledge and skills for a long term career in the trade.

Employer Presentation:
Global Human Resources

Tuesday March 23 at 2:00 pm

Registration is FREE

Contact: VCCS Employment Services
370 Kent Street West, Lindsay ON
705-328-0180
www.careerservices.org

Check Out What's Happening at VCCS this March 2010

Click the image below to see our Events Calendar for March.
Most of the workshops that we offer are at no cost.
To register please call 705.328-0180.

East Central Farm Show returning to Lindsay fairgrounds

DAVE FLAHERTY, LINDSAY POST

Farmers from all over central Ontario will converge to the Farmers' Mutual Exhibition Building at the Lindsay Fairgrounds next week. The 30th annual East Central Farm Show, presented by the East Central Soil and Crop Improvement Association, will take place Wednesday, March 3 from 11 a.m. to 9:30 p.m. and Thursday, March 4 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Show manager Don Oliver told The Lindsay Post there would be 146 exhibitors at the show this year. He said 2,500 people attended the show in 2009, a number he would like to see grow. The East Central region covers the City of Kawartha Lakes, Peterborough, Haliburton County, York Region and Durham Region. The show will feature a wide variety of displays including farm machinery, credit unions, feed dealers, insurance companies and seed dealers amongst others. Admission is $5, or free for those with a 2010 Soil and Crop memberships.

Soil and Crop memberships can be purchased for $15. Oliver said benefits of having a membership include entrance into other farm shows, four newsletters and access to bus tours and demonstrations across the province at no charge. The East Central Farm Show began in 1981 at the Manvers Community Centre then moved to the Fenelon Hall in Cambray in 1983 before moving to the Morrow Building Peterborough in 1992. The last three shows have taken place in Lindsay. Oliver said the move has allowed for more exhibitors and made it easier for people from York and Durham to attend the show.

He said he believes they have a good buzz surrounding the inshow.
"Everyone is looking for optimism for farming and agriculture in general," Oliver said.

More information on the show can be found at www.regionalscia.org/ECFS.html. - dflaherty@thepost.ca

This March Break:

Get a Head Start on Your Job Search

We will be offering free student workshops to make sure that you have all the right tools to kick off your job search. Preparing for summer employment NOW will give you a leading edge in what can be a competitive time in seeking summer employment.

Be sure to contact VCCS and get registered.

March 15 1-4pm
Start Your Summer Job Search
the basics of looking for a job

March 16 9-12
Student Resume Development

March 16 1-4
Student Myers Briggs (w Deb Csumrik)

March 17 1-4pm
Success at Work for Students
(or how to not get fired)

March 18 9-12
Cash Register Basics for Students

Can't make it this week? Register with VCCS and learn more about our Summer Job Service.

Home Depot voices committment

By LISA GERVAIS, LINDSAY POST REPORTER

KAWARTHA LAKES-The Home Depot has confirmed that it is committed to coming to Lindsay.
Senior real estate manager, Sylvain Rivet, in a letter to City of Kawartha Lakes Mayor Ric McGee and members of council, dated Jan. 25, writes "I would like to reassure yourself and council of our plans to locate a Home Depot store in Lindsay and specifically on the Mason Homes site.
"We look forward to working with council and staff over the next year to finalise the approvals needed to open our store."
Home Depot penned the letter after receiving the Ontario Municipal Board ruling which reaffirmed council's decision to support the Mason Homes commercial proposal.
"We are pleased with the positive outcome of this hearing, and the support which the city gave to Mason Homes through this process," Rivet said in the letter that will be tabled at today's council meeting.