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Confidence in Kimberley a threefold thing
By Brenda Ann Babinski
Things are booming in Kimberley these days. According to the January 2015 to July 2015 Building Permit Report, the city has seen a surge of new building permits issued, more than double over this time last year.
At the August 10 meeting of City of Kimberley council it was noted that there have been 70 residential permits issued in 2015, more than any other community in the Regional District of East Kootenay. Cranbrook is a close second with 68 permits issued.
When asked whether he thought this boom was just a blip or whether it might indicate a potential trend in the market, Mayor Don McCormick responded that he believed the market is trending upwards. McCormick believes that there is a growing, solid confidence in Kimberley as a community and the reasons are threefold: Business, tourism and Cranbrook.
“The business mix in Kimberley, particularly retail, has been undergoing a transition for several years. Restaurants have emerged as the retail anchor in Kimberley, with about 35 or so catering to healthy traffic from the entire region,” he said.
McCormick also pointed to new ownerships of existing businesses and the influx of at least seven new shops in the downtown area, all of which serve to bring a new life to the area. “New owners, new businesses and risks by the business leaders generate confidence which in turn encourages more risk taking,” he stated.
The mayor also indicated the excellent tourism this year has generated new interest in the area. With major tourism events being sold out most weekends, drawing hundreds of people to town, Kimberley is being discovered as a year round tourism destination.
“The risk that our retail entrepreneurs have taken is paying off as these visitors spend considerable money while they are here. Local residents also seem more engaged, adding foot traffic in Marysville and the Platzl.” McCormick said.
More Cranbrook employees are choosing to live in Kimberley and make the short commute to work. Add to that the strong retiree market, McCormick noted, and Kimberley now has a healthy amount of residential construction and the lowest housing resale inventory in some time.
While the price of oil and economic situation in Alberta has caused a lean year for Albertans, it has had many of them choosing to vacation closer to home. Kimberley is a destination of choice. McCormick added, “And thanks to the low dollar, we are seeing U.S. license plates in the area for the first time in a while.”
Kimberley’s boom for the first half of 2015 has Mayor McCormick optimistic for the future. “The bottom line is that the high energy and enthusiasm we are seeing from the community, combined with the great experience visitors have while they are here is a driving force behind our good fortune. It is a great vibe.”