Houston has much to offer in the bid to wean itself from an over dependence on the traditional forest industry, a report prepared for the District of Houston indicates.
Houston has much to offer in its bid to wean itself from an over-dependence on the traditional forest industry, a report prepared for the District of Houston indicates.
Prompted mainly by Canfor’s decision to close its existing sawmill, putting hundreds of Houstonians out of work, and then to shelve its plan to build a new one, the District of Houston hired the consulting company of Deloitte LLP using a $310,000 provincial grant to come up with a strategy to diversify the economy.
Through interviews and research, Deloitte offered up key priorities leading to a focused effort to use the community’s existing strengths and to capitalize on new initiatives.
The plan was formally introduced to the community at a June 24, 2025 event.
One of the key priorities outlined is to create an investment readiness climate, making it more efficient for companies considering a move to the area to then make a positive decision.
Investment readiness includes “having available land and buildings, sufficient utilities infrastructure, accessible information on regulations and the local economy and strong relationships with stakeholders to support new developments,” the diversification plan outlined.
It also emphasized the need to promote innovation and entrepreneurship to create more and varied types of businesses, which then broaden the community’s economic base. This insulates the community from a single economic shock and its subsequent consequences.
Although statisticians are predicting a slight decline in the area population, Deloitte noted the median age of 38 and affordable housing give it an available workforce advantage.
And 14 per cent of the local workforce is identified as having trades designations, more than the nine per cent in each of Smithers and Burns Lake and twice as much as the provincial average.
“The labour force is an asset for expansion, particularly in manufacturing and extraction-related sectors,” the Deloitte report stated.
The Deloitte report also recommended an increased emphasis on multiple outdoor tourism opportunities.
“The community boasts a variety of outdoor activities including fly fishing, hiking and mountain biking,” the report stated.
And the start, this year, of a million dollar-plus wholesale rehabilitation and modernization of Bymac Park will add to the quality of outdoor recreation.
One benefit to be explored is increased interest in unique and less crowded tourist destinations.
“The District of Houston can capitalize on these opportunities by positioning itself as an affordable and attractive destination offering varied outdoor activities and events,” the report added.
Tourism also factored in another potential economic benefit, the District of Houston’s expanded approach to Indigenous reconciliation.
“By aligning Indigenous perspectives and knowledge into economic planning and opportunities, the District of Houston can create innovative and resilient economic strategies,” the report’s authors suggested.
“Early on and continuous engagement and learning from the surrounding Indigenous nations, organizations and peoples will ensure that economic initiatives are inclusive, relevant and mutually beneficial.”
Despite a downturn in the traditional forest industry, Deloitte’s authors did note the potential for value-added wood products.
“Residents noted specific opportunities including pre-fabricated home construction as well as mass timber and highlighted that expanding value-added forestry production could help to revive investment interest in the now-closed Canfor mill,” the report indicated.
Overall, the report indicated efforts should be made to market Houston in all respects to the outside world, as smaller communities can be overshadowed by larger ones.
One way is to capitalize on having Houston become an intermediate service hub along Hwy 16 by combining a highway service centre with already-existing servicing opportunities.
The Deloitte report will now help in developing a five-year plan with the District of Houston. Such a plan will be designed to be flexible so its elements can respond to specific initiatives and changing opportunities.
