The economic ripple effects of the Canfor mill shuttering its Houston, BC location earlier this year is being felt in the small northern town.
Canfor was Houston’s largest employer with over 330 employees in the town of 3052 people, which means about 10% of Houston lost their job within a year of each other, with the final blow coming in September 2024 when Canfor announced their decision not to rebuild a new facility.
The District of Houston has had to devise ways to keep their skilled workers in their homes. In 2023, a property tax extension was given to all residents, and that’s where the District’s Economic Development Director Andrea Newell comes in. She has been working on numerous economy-driving projects for the district of Houston including a new Housing Strategy, a manufacturing project (yet to be announced), and a Destination Marketing and Development plan to entice tourists to the area.
