One of the traffic flag people pointed to the group of people visiting a huge plot of vacant land within sight of the constant truck and train traffic to DeltaPort. “There’s lots of people in suits. That means money.” He probably got it right. There were captains of industry and bigwigs from all levels of government. A former premier even showed up.

It was another one of those eventful days at Tsawwassen First Nation (TFN) in a community that has become used to celebrating things like its nationhood and constitution. The gathering on Aboriginal Day was just as significant.

The groundbreaking for the Tsawwassen Gateway Logistics Centre marked a first step for TFN’s industrial lands strategy. Chief Kim Baird told the assembled guests that the strategy was developed shortly after officially becoming a Treaty First Nation last year.

“Celebrating the beginning of building our economy with this groundbreaking on Aboriginal Day is very fitting,” she said. “We are looking forward to seeing the Logistics Centre play a significant role in the transportation and supply chains.”

Partners in the huge project are BC and Canada. The federal government has contributed $4 and the provincial government $3 million.

TFN’s 2008 land use plan designated 135 hectares for industrial development. The groundbreaking was for an initial development on 40 hectares. Its proximity to the four railroads and major highways make it a prime spot for many industrial and commercial activities. Those could include goods handling, light manufacturing, warehousing and distribution.

Across the open fields from the groundbreaking, close to ‘downtown’ TFN, sits the Tsawwassen Gateway Skills Centre. Already a handful of people are being trained in things such as transportation logistics and inventory management for the hundreds of jobs that will come once TFN and developers sign deals.

“There will be thousands of jobs, far more than our community needs,” Baird has said. “There will be jobs for other First Nations people and all our neighbours.”

Meanwhile, a survey is being completed of all TFN members 16 years and older. The aim is to help provide better, and more targeted, employment and training opportunities.

Seeking developers and a structure

The Tsawwassen Economic Development Corporation (TEDC) has been actively seeking expressions-of-interest (EOI) from potential developers and, perhaps, partners. The formal EOI request has been available since May 14.

TEDC chief executive Chris Hartman said: “From TFN’s perspective, it is more than just about the land value. It is about job opportunities, training opportunities. It is about working with someone in that business and see things that other partners may not and come to the table to create opportunities.”

Late last year, Baird told Klahowya that the range of opportunities stemming from the industrial park development has meant there has been no shortage of potential partners lining up to do business with the EDC.

“We are looking for potential business partners, but a lot is still up in the air as we structure our business arrangements. Will we just be the landlord? I don’t know. There may be opportunities for 100 per cent ownership by TFN, but we just may be the landlord in others cases.”