An international power-generating company is considering making Squamish its North American home base, and it could mean a significant number of local jobs.
Ascard Energy, a German company that produces "green power generating stations", is on the verge of deciding where to establish their first North American location, and if Squamish is chosen, it could mean opportunities for numerous skilled jobs in fields such as marketing, production, mechanical, electronics and electrical engineering.
District of Squamish staff are now trying to facilitate company executives' attempts at finding the right site. The company has short-, medium- and long-term plans, according to Mayor Ian Sutherland, and the first step may be leasing or buying an existing building to start operations within five months' time.
"It's a very exciting opportunity for us," said Sutherland. "Our staff is working very hard with [Ascard executive] Tom [Chatfield] and his team to find whether there's any possibility that we can work together. It looks quite promising but there's still work to be done."
Ascard executives heard of Squamish through friends who have made the town their home, and after receiving a "warm welcome," according to Chatfield's letter to The Chief (see page A11), they appear to have put the location near the top of their list.
"Talking to Mr. Chatfield, I certainly get the impression that all things being equal he'd like to be in Squamish," said Sutherland. "And we'd like to have him in Squamish."
Ascard is "organically financed" according to Chatfield's letter, and seeks only the assistance, support and encouragement from all levels of government and from the people of Squamish.
Company executives are expected to return in two to three weeks, said Sutherland. In the meantime, district staff, realtors and a number of other locals are working on providing Ascard with answers once they return.
