As the community of Clearwater grapples with the news Canfor will shut down its sawmill in nearby Vavenby the mayor is looking at ways to diversify the local economy.

Merlin Blackwell says it is heartbreaking talking to the over 170 workers who will soon be out of work but he is hoping solutions can be found.

Blackwell says among the possibilities are wildfire mitigation work both around Clearwater but also in Wells Gray Provincial Park as well as pipeline construction work.

“The Trans Mountain could come online here within 10 or 12 days announcing whether they are going ahead. Clearwater is a camp town for that and would be one of the larger centres of operation. It is quite feasible with the skill level of the mill employees that Trans Mountain could absorb a bunch of these people for at least a year or two.”

Blackwell says the mining sector might also offer some more hope on the jobs front.

“Taseko mines brought the ore property above Vavenby, right above the sawmill. There is a 400 to 600 person potential employer there with a copper body. That made it all way through to the environmental approvals process under the last owners, Yellowhead Mining. Hopefully there is a way to get that approval process sped up for Taseko if Taseko does want to go forward.”

He says the community is also desperate for better internet and cell phone coverage something that he says prevents some businesses from coming to town.

Blackwell says they have had discussions with Telus to find solutions to the issue.