September 23, 2021

Richmond Business (Good) News!

Below is a collection of local news success stories that showcase both innovation and resilience. Don't forget to use the hashtag #RichmondHasHeart when sharing your stories.

• Lafarge’s Richmond, B.C. plant hits major CO2 capture milestone

• Fastest-Growing Companies series: Herbaland Naturals Inc. co-founders Musharah Syed and Aisha Yang

• Nature's Path co-founders donate $1 million to support clinical care and research at VGH

• 2 Richmond companies helping advance use of hydrogen, zero emisson vehicle tech

• Vancouver Airport Authority Maintains AA- Credit Rating with Outlook Upgraded to Stable

• Corvus Energy and Sanmar Shipyards sign MoU to develop a new range of zero-emission and hybrid tugs

• MDA awarded contract for Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency's Martian Moons Exploration Mission

• Richmond health-food business wins provincial award

TransLink and City of Richmond break ground on new Canada Line Station

Construction began early September on a new Canada Line SkyTrain station that will help deliver better transit to the City of Richmond and the Capstan Village area. The future Capstan Station will provide efficient and environmentally sustainable rapid transit to a rapidly developing Richmond community.

“Capstan Station will be the cornerstone of making Capstan Village centred around zero-emission, fast, and reliable transit,” says Richmond Mayor Malcolm Brodie. “This growing urban community is projected to bring up to 16,000 new residents to Richmond, and this new transit station will help position our city as an even more attractive place to live.”

The Capstan Station will have these additional features compared to existing Canada Line stations:

• Dual escalator sets
• A larger concourse
• Increased platform length and waiting space
• Commercial retail space
• Public art

Richmond Business Resilience Program Growth Challenge

As part of the Richmond Business Resilience Program, Spring Activator has created the Growth Challenge - a newly established grant fund that provides an opportunity for entrepreneurs and business owners across the province to learn new skills and grow their business for a chance to win a $10,000 prize!

Running a business is hard, but you have support. The Richmond Business Resilience Program is an online learning platform designed to help you assess the status of your business, create a plan to thrive, and equip you with the right tools and resources to grow.

Applications for the Growth Challenge will go live on Monday, September 27. 

New interchange, Highway 99 improvements to relieve traffic congestion

The Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure announced on August 18, 2021 that a new, eight-lane immersed tube tunnel (ITT) will replace the existing George Massey Tunnel on Highway 99, providing people a toll-free crossing that aligns with regional interests and an active transportation connection across the Fraser River.

In the interim, the Province, in collaboration with key municipal, regional and participating Indigenous groups, will begin work this fall on Corridor Improvements. These improvements will help alleviate congestion and improve transit and cycling infrastructure along Highway 99 while planning, procurement and permitting for the new immersed tube tunnel continue.

More information on the George Massey Program can be found on the website at George Massey Crossing and questions can be directed to GeorgeMasseyCrossingSCR@gov.bc.ca.

City of Richmond invites applications to community grant programs

The City of Richmond has opened applications to its annual grant programs to assist the valuable work of non-profit societies. Applications for grants are now open until 5:00 p.m. on Wednesday, October 20 2021.

The annual City grant programs support non-profit organizations in improving the quality of life of residents through diverse and beneficial community programs. These programs are an important component of the City’s strategy to build an active and thriving Richmond.

The grants fall under four categories – Arts and Culture; Child Care; Health, Social and Safety; and Parks, Recreation and Community Events.