Local Business

Western Forest Products announced capital investments totalling $29 million at operations in Saltair, Nanaimo and Chemainus. (Black Press Media file photo)

Western Forest Products announces $29 million in upgrades at central Island operations

Projects underway at Saltair, Nanaimo and Chemainus facilities

Rogers Communications says Nanaimo is the first city in Canada to receive the company’s high-speed, high-capacity 3500 MHz 5G service. (Darren Calabrese/Canadian Press)

Nanaimo first Canadian city to connect to Rogers Communications’ new high-capacity network

Company says 3500 MHz 5G will benefit commercial, industrial, public-sector and home clients

Eric Byres, founder and chief technical officer of Lantzville-based aDolus Technology Inc., and company staff are basking in the glow of winning the Most Innovative Software Supply Chain Security category in the Cyber Defense Magazine Global InfoSec Awards. (Photo submitted)

Cybersecurity company with Lantzville roots wins international award

aDolus Technology Inc. receives Most Innovative Software Supply Chain Security award

Jim Bennett’s model railroad layout has become a hub for model railroad hobbyists in the area. (Kevin Forsyth photo)

Model railroad hobby spans generations for Nanoose Bay family

Youngster’s interest began when late grandfather gifted him a set

Jim Bennett’s model railroad layout has become a hub for model railroad hobbyists in the area. (Kevin Forsyth photo)
Tim Sangha, a member of the Nanaimo-based business partnership that has owned the Scarlet Ibis Pub and Restaurant since November 2020, presents a carving by woodcarver Rick Rotar of the business logo to Patricia Gwynne who owned and operated the Island’s most remote pub for more than 40 years. (Scarlet Ibis image)

Nanaimo business partners breathe new life into Island’s most remote pub

Scarlet Ibis Pub and Restaurant in Holberg is edge of civilization for wilderness adventurers

Tim Sangha, a member of the Nanaimo-based business partnership that has owned the Scarlet Ibis Pub and Restaurant since November 2020, presents a carving by woodcarver Rick Rotar of the business logo to Patricia Gwynne who owned and operated the Island’s most remote pub for more than 40 years. (Scarlet Ibis image)
Simon Phillips and Karen Kenyon (left) of Royal LePage Parksville-Qualicum present a cheque of $50,000 to Shannon McRae and Lola Graham-McRae (right) as the recipient of the Dream Home Project Initiative cash award on March 18, 2022. (Mandy Moraes photo)

Nanaimo resident announced as Dream Home Project Initiative $50K recipient

Money awarded by Parksville Qualicum Beach realtors toward first-time home purchase

Simon Phillips and Karen Kenyon (left) of Royal LePage Parksville-Qualicum present a cheque of $50,000 to Shannon McRae and Lola Graham-McRae (right) as the recipient of the Dream Home Project Initiative cash award on March 18, 2022. (Mandy Moraes photo)
Nanaimo's Atlas Engineered products announced this week the acquisition of Lantzville's Hi-Tec Industries for $5.8 million, plus $3.25 million for Hi-Tec's land and buildings. (News Bulletin photo)

Nanaimo-based Atlas Engineered Products buys Hi-Tec Industries

Nanaimo roofing truss manufacturer acquires Lantzville-based competitor

Nanaimo's Atlas Engineered products announced this week the acquisition of Lantzville's Hi-Tec Industries for $5.8 million, plus $3.25 million for Hi-Tec's land and buildings. (News Bulletin photo)
21streetclub was dreamed up by a UVic student who dreams of helping art and design students earn money from their pieces while attending school. (Photo courtesy of Nelson Walusimbi)

University of Victoria student turns class project idea into full-blown fashion business

Website aims to help art and design students find platform to share, sell their fashion pieces

21streetclub was dreamed up by a UVic student who dreams of helping art and design students earn money from their pieces while attending school. (Photo courtesy of Nelson Walusimbi)
Erica Kavanaugh is the new president of the Vancouver Island Real Estate Board. (VIREB photo)

Vancouver Island Real Estate Board elects new president for 2022

Erica Kavanaugh to take over leading role

Erica Kavanaugh is the new president of the Vancouver Island Real Estate Board. (VIREB photo)
Elizabeth Lumley, granddaughter Kylie Ounsted and daughter Amy Lumley with a selection of Elizabeth’s decals. (Chris Bush/News Bulletin)

Small decal business allows Nanaimo woman to help family

Elizabeth Lumley helps out her daughter Amy, who has lost both her legs

Elizabeth Lumley, granddaughter Kylie Ounsted and daughter Amy Lumley with a selection of Elizabeth’s decals. (Chris Bush/News Bulletin)
Software systems are susceptible to cyberattack through the recently discovered Log4Shell vulnerability. (Stock photo)

Lantzville cybersecurity company scans software to beat Log4j bug

aDolus Technology Inc. generates first vulnerability reports to thwart hackers

Software systems are susceptible to cyberattack through the recently discovered Log4Shell vulnerability. (Stock photo)
Graham White, VIU ITAS department chair and program professor, middle, works with students Shayne Murray, left, and Tony Johnson during a lab focused on setting up IT networks. (Chris Bush/News Bulletin)

Nanaimo-area IT firm looks for local talent to help industries fend off cyberattacks

Lantzville-based aDolus Technology hires VIU IT graduates for research and development

Graham White, VIU ITAS department chair and program professor, middle, works with students Shayne Murray, left, and Tony Johnson during a lab focused on setting up IT networks. (Chris Bush/News Bulletin)
Anita’s Organic Mill co-owner Taylor Gemmel outside the Chilliwack location. (Michelle Gemmel submitted file photo)

Nature’s Path acquires majority interest in Chilliwack organic food business

Largest organic cereal and snack maker buys into Anita’s Organic Mill

Anita’s Organic Mill co-owner Taylor Gemmel outside the Chilliwack location. (Michelle Gemmel submitted file photo)
The Central Vancouver Island Rotarians will hold a sale of authentic hand woven Guatemalan scarves and clothing to raise money for access to education in Guatemala villages this month. (Photo courtesy of Gerry Beltgens/Rotary Club of Ladysmith)

Central Vancouver Island Rotaries raise funds for access to education in Guatemalan villages

Rotarians will sell authentic hand woven Guatemalan scarves and clothing to raise funds

The Central Vancouver Island Rotarians will hold a sale of authentic hand woven Guatemalan scarves and clothing to raise money for access to education in Guatemala villages this month. (Photo courtesy of Gerry Beltgens/Rotary Club of Ladysmith)
A merger between Nanaimo-based Taste of B.C. Aquafarms and Blue Star Foods of Miami, Fla., will scale up land-based fish farm steelhead production on the mid Island. (Photo submitted)

Nanaimo fish farm planning to scale up to 15 times its current production

Taste of B.C. Aquafarms was acquired by Miami, Fla.’s Blue Star Foods Corp. earlier this year

A merger between Nanaimo-based Taste of B.C. Aquafarms and Blue Star Foods of Miami, Fla., will scale up land-based fish farm steelhead production on the mid Island. (Photo submitted)
A robot helps out at Driftwood Restaurant, where it transports takeout orders from the kitchen to the front doors. (Photo submitted)

Robot a valued staff member at Nanaimo restaurant

‘Bella’ delivers food from the kitchen to the front doors at Driftwood Restaurant

A robot helps out at Driftwood Restaurant, where it transports takeout orders from the kitchen to the front doors. (Photo submitted)
Jeff and Rina Puska are planning a grand opening for their boutique and “cuddle farm” later in October. It features two sheep named Boots and O, among other animals. (Photo by Tyler Hay)

Yellow Point family brings original children’s book to life at ‘cuddle farm’

‘We wanted a place where people could just put their phones down and have this magical experience’

Jeff and Rina Puska are planning a grand opening for their boutique and “cuddle farm” later in October. It features two sheep named Boots and O, among other animals. (Photo by Tyler Hay)
Paradise Mini Golf and Fun Park in Parksville. (News Bulletin file photo)

Parksville family leaving the mini golf business

New owners of Paradise Mini Golf will continue to operate business as mini golf course and RV park

  • Oct 4, 2021
Paradise Mini Golf and Fun Park in Parksville. (News Bulletin file photo)
Detail of a newspaper advertisement for the Nanaimo Business Awards.

Nanaimo Business Awards to be presented as part of TV broadcast

Sunday, Oct. 3 event to be broadcast and live-streamed on app and YouTube channel

Detail of a newspaper advertisement for the Nanaimo Business Awards.
Lynne Kellogg, assistant manager, and Fraser Archibald, one of Old City Panache’s 50 booths people, discuss the store’s displays as the market opens for the day’s business. (Chris Bush/News Bulletin)

Curiosities and collectibles can be found at unique Nanaimo shop

Old City Panache has 50 vendors providing 50 opportunities to shop local

Lynne Kellogg, assistant manager, and Fraser Archibald, one of Old City Panache’s 50 booths people, discuss the store’s displays as the market opens for the day’s business. (Chris Bush/News Bulletin)