The mood was upbeat Friday just off the north end of the main runway at Prince George Airport.
That was where a grand opening was held for Rosenau Transport, the first tenant to occupy the new cargo warehouse.
"Prince George has become a huge player in the airport industry and we want to be part of their partnership," Rosenau owner Carl Rosenau said during a speech to the roughly 50 people who gathered for the event.
He said Rosenau can transport cargo from the airport to anywhere in Western Canada in two days. Rosenau now employs 21 people in Prince George and expects to hire 15 more within two years.
Prince George Airport Authority CEO John Gibson credited a "chance connection" between Rosenau corporate accounts manager Kelly Cameron and PGAA cargo business development director Al Ridgeway on a flight down to Vancouver for setting the wheels in motion.
"Having a well-known, established transport company on site bodes well for us as we move our cargo program forward," Gibson said. "We look forward to working with Rosenau to provide road-feeder service and cargo container build up."
Similarly, Prince George-Valemount MLA and B.C. Jobs Minister Shirley Bond said the warehouse, combined with the runway long enough to handle large, cargo carrying aircraft, will be a catalyst for more business.
"Logistics matter and the most important thing for an investor is that when their goods land here or land somewhere in Canada or whether you're investing in Western Canada, you want to be able to move your goods to market as quickly and efficiently as possible," Bond said.
Built at a cost of $5.5 million, the warehouse covers 25,000 square feet.
It was completed in November, with Rosenau moving in during the same month, occupying 15,000 square feet. The search continues for a tenant to take over the remaining 10,000.
