The mayor of Clearwater says his community is preparing for a better year for job creation.

The region’s largest employer, the Canfor Mill, shut down last summer and shed more than 170 direct jobs.

Merlin Blackwell says the biggest boost for jobs this year is the Trans Mountain pipeline project.

“As far as a work camp breaking ground in Clearwater, we were anticipating that this month but we’re not really seeing any signs of that happening. There’s contractor truck action around town but not in vast numbers at this particular moment. I think everything’s been delayed by planning, but hopefully mid-spring, early summer, some time in that area,” Blackwell says.

“We’re not sure many local people will be working on the line. Local subcontractors have definitely put the word out for training, have trained a bunch of people on security and basic maintenance positions and things like that. So they are gearing up to hire, I just don’t know when those people will actually have a start date for any of these jobs.”

Blackwell says more jobs are in the pipeline – so to speak – with a new Best Western hotel that will open soon and companies hiring up for tourism season.