A year after opening its first regional office in Prince George, the Independent Contractors and Businesses Association of B.C. (ICBA) continues its regional expansion with the acquisition of Fort St. John-based Energy Services B.C. (ESBC). ESBC is the largest oil and gas industry association in the province.
“By working together in one organization, the issues that are important to businesses in the northeast will get more attention across the province and the case for jobs and investment in the region will be stronger,” said Gord Stewart, president, ICBA, in a press release. “The voice of the construction sector is much stronger with the ESBC as part of the ICBA.”
“Over the last several years, ESBC has been looking at ways to extend the influence and increase the profile of companies driving the oil and gas sector in the region,” said Art Jarvis, Executive Director of ESBC. “This is going to be a very powerful partnership and we are looking forward to be joining the voice of BC’s construction industry.”
ICBA launched a plan in January that will see ESBC members evolve into ICBA members throughout 2017. As part of the transition, over the coming months Art Jarvis will work for the ICBA out of the current ESBC office in Fort St. John.
“People in the northeast understand what drives prosperity in B.C.,” ICBA Regional Vice President, Mike Davis. “Together, the ICBA and ESBC will stand up for investments in the energy and resource sector to help bring jobs here and help build stronger communities.”
The announcement was made Wednesday at the B.C. Natural Resources Forum in Prince George.
