Business Development Department Report August 2011

The Business Development Department works hard to make a positive impact that will benefit the Band to make a prosperous and healthy future for its members. The department oversees the operations of the five Tkemlps Indian band business units, their correlating budgets and variance reports, the daily HR issues, the STEP worker applications, while also addressing other issues and inquiries that surface on a daily basis. The department also actively seeks out new economic development opportunities, partnerships, joint ventures, and funding opportunities that contribute to the Bands economic goals and objectives. Who is the business development team and what do they do? Neil Leonard, Business Development Department Manager
Neil Leonard has been the Manager of the Business Development Department since its inception in 2009. He manages the team which includes: Robert Corman, Stacie Coutlee, Kelley OGrady, Pat Lentowicz and Aboriginal Youth Summer intern Allison James. Neil also oversees the five business units, their respective staff and ensures both the business unit and business development monthly variance reports are complete. Neil also attends monthly Manager meetings, and provides support and guidance to department staff. Neil sits on board of directors for the Kamloops Indian Band Development Corp. (KIBDC), the Mt. Paul Centre and the Kamloops Chamber of Commerce. Neil is part of the Chamber of Commerce Policy Committee. Along with the numerous action items from Chief and Council, Sr. Management and corporate boards, Neil answers to a considerable number of business related enquiries and calls daily. Although the primary objective of the department is to develop new business opportunities, the process itself is often time intensive. The team can spend a considerable amount of time performing due diligence work relating to an opportunity only to reject it as a viable business opportunity. Over the past six months Neil has also attended numerous workshops and conferences around the Province in order to gain further insight into current and emerging economic development opportunities. See listed below. International Council of Shopping Centres, Whistler B.C. To develop connections with some of the largest builders, contractors and investors in the world. Returned home with a number of leads. Valuation Workshop, Vancouver B.C. Learned how to best valuate a businesses opportunity that may be presented to the the Band. Knowing how to properly value a business is extremely important in this industry. National Aboriginal Business Opportunities Conference Series, Prince Rupert B.C. To learn about the latest aboriginal business opportunities in the province and to develop a network of contacts. Angel Forum, Vancouver B.C. To network with industry professionals and get leads on new investors. Canadian Council for Aboriginal Business Conference, Vancouver B.C. To meet with those in the industry and bring home new business opportunities. Land Development Conference, Vancouver B.C. To learn about the latest and greatest approaches to land development, as well as meeting with successful land developers interested in TIB as a developing destination.

Robert Corman, Economic Development Officer Roberts primary focus is finding new economic development opportunities for the Band. Robert is the first responder to issues regarding the Tkemlps Gas Station and the Carwash, as well as the Museum and Heritage Park. He helps to improve the overall operations and profitability of the units. On a daily basis Robert is the point of contact for concern at these business units while also overseeing the corresponding variance reports. Robert sits on INACs Regional Policy Management Advisory Committee which advises on economic development policy in the province. His current special projects include developing three sets of business process guidelines for: Joint Ventures, Business Purchases and Real Estate Development. This will help clarify the process of doing business with the Band and make it easily accessible on the website. He has recently completed an application for funding with (Public Private Partnerships Canada (P3). If approved TIB could receive $5 million in funding for new infrastructure. Robert has spent many hours researching and developing new business and funding proposals. Stacie Coutlee, Economic Development Specialist Stacies primary focus is also working to find new economic development opportunities for the Band. Stacie is the first responder to issues regarding the Ranch and Sagebrush Downs/Winners Cafe. With a very busy events season and the unforeseen staff shortages at Sagebrush Downs, Stacie has spent much of her time occupied with support. She is responsible for the emerging HR issues at the Sagebrush Downs as well as reviewing and overseeing the contract positions at both business units. She also handles the monthly variance reports for the Ranch and Sagebrush. Stacie has also been working closely with the Tim Hortons project. Stacie recently completed and submitted an application to Aboriginal Business Canada (ABC) for the development of a food processing plant and cannery. This is currently still under review by ABC. Stacie oversees operations at the Ranch and has worked hard to see new progressions. The Ranch has had a positive cash flow this year for the first time since the Band took over operations. Like Robert, Stacie spends a lot of time researching business leads and developing business cases and funding proposals. Kelley OGrady, Marketing Coordinator Kelleys primary role is to develop and implement marketing and public relations programs for the department. Most recently Kelley has worked with a company out of Vancouver to develop a state of the art tradeshow display which will be used as a marketing tool at industry tradeshows. A promotional book to be electronically

displayed/ distributed is currently in the design stages. She also looks after promotional material purchasing for the department.

Kelley also oversees updating of the two business websites. We recently launched the new Secwepemc Museum and Heritage Park website. This is a stand-alone website that will help attract foreign business and tourists. Visit us at www.secwepemcmuseum.com. Kelley has also been working closely with Coppermoon Communications to launch the new Business Development website. This is another stand-alone website that will draw the traffic of those looking to do business with the band. Visit us at www.tkemlupsbusiness.ca. This is part of a direct marketing plan in which we can market our website to specific segments and leads. This is expected to have a positive impact on the perspective of the Band as a progressive developer.

Kelley also looks after the advertising, promotion and public relations for the department. She runs the advertise-

ments with the Kamloops news and radio, Thrive Magazine, Progress Magazine, Kamloops Tourism,Thompson Okanogan Film Commission and all other emerging advertising opportunities. Kelley will be working to format the three sets of business guidelines for: Joint Ventures, Business Purchases and Real Estate Development. She also writes the departmental newsletter/report which will begoing out monthly. Pat Lentowicz, Office Coordinator Pats role is to look after all office issues for the department. She handles and processes all invoices, cheque requisitions, purchase orders, timesheets, bookings, filing, meetings and is the main office reception for the department. Pat also looks after board meeting minutes and action item distribution. Pat is the main point of contact for administrative issues in the business development department. She works closely with Department manager Neil Leonard to schedule meetings and appointments and addresses all other day to day issues. Pat is also a member of the TIB Safety Committee. Allison James, Aboriginal Youth Summer Intern Allison is a summer intern from the Provincial Governments Aboriginal Youth Internship program. Allison is currently researching alternative energy programs and cost savings programs for the Band and business units. Allison is from the Xwisten (Bridge River) Band in Lillooet B.C. and will be with the department for a total of 12 weeks. She recently made a presentation to Council regarding cost saving through alternative energy projects. Department projects currently on the go Gas Station Re branding - After the financial success that the Osoyoos Indian Band had by re-branding their Fas Gas station to a National brand, we are looking at the viability of converting Tkemlps Petroleum independent gas station over to a major supplier. By re-branding the gas station we will hopefully reap the benefits of a broader customer base and increase revenue. ATM changeover We are looking to change the current ATM machine inside the gas station to a larger and more reliable service provider. Increase Tobacco Quota Steps are being taken to increase the tobacco quota. We are hoping to have a bylaw in place that will regulate discount tobacco sales on reserve. CLC RV Park Jordie Johnson was contracted to develop a business case for the development of an RV Park at the Pow Wow Arbor. The business case has been submitted for review and if accepted will be rolled out for the 2012 season. Raleigh RV Park A feasibility study has been completed by MIBROC for the development site in Raleigh. Phase 1 consisted of an initial review, project checklist, issues and recommendations. Phase 2 will consist of a complete project management plan and a proposal for design and approvals. After Phase 2 is complete, council will decide how they want to proceed with the project. Tim Hortons A CLC traffic study is being reviewed by Tim Hortons to ensure the location has sufficient traffic flow. The original plan of build to suite has changed and the new plan is for a lease agreement. Aboriginal Tourism B.C. - TIB received the exciting news that Aboriginal Tourism B.C. (ATBC) will provide $40,000 in funding to help develop a business plan in support of creating a top aboriginal tourist attraction similar to that of Klahowya Village in Stanley Park, right here at Tkemlps. This project could see Tkemlps become a top cultural tourism destination in the province if viable.

Mount Paul Centre/Sagebrush Downs - MPC will undergo a highest and best use study this year in order to determine what kind of new uses will be most beneficial for the grounds. These studies assess current and estimated future demands for the community and how the area can be best utilized. The study will be completed in early fall 2011. BC Hydro The Band is working with BC Hydro to develop procurement opportunities for band members. There is over 10 billion dollars in infrastructure upgrades opening up tremendous opportunities for First Nation contractors. New Sky Insurance Agency New Sky Insurance Agency has proposed a joint venture in which TIB would hold a 51% majority in an on reserve insurance agency. Before any joint ventures are considered proper due diligence will be completed. Raven Biofuels Raven Canada approached the Band with the hopes of building an ethanol plant on reserve. Since that time, they have come up with a new proposal to purchase wood fibre from the Band for a pellet plant. Decisions will be made soon on how this will be rolled out. CC Helicopters CC Helicopters, a Kamloops based helicopter company, expressed interest in the possibility of a joint venture towards securing BC Hydro main line inspection contracts. Cannery Project With a funding application to ABC for the cannery/food processing plant submitted, this is another project on the up-coming agenda. This is a joint funding project and another proposal has recently been submitted by Robert Corman. SIFE TRU - Students from the TRU SIFE program will be developing and putting on a series workshops to assist aspiring entrepreneurs in the community. They will provide hands on workshops and material on steps to starting a business. Look for the notice for up-coming workshops. Mine Contracts - We are looking at pursuing more mine contracts such asthat with New Gold and the proposed Ajax mine. This will increase the potential for First Nation contractors. Man Tracker - Man Tracker the television show recently shot their new season opening at the Ranch. Check out the new season of Man Tracker and catch a glimpse of the beautiful reserve. The Business Development Department consistently works towards attracting, retaining and marketing new business opportunities. The goal is to improve operations and secure additional cash flows on a yearly basis. We hope that 2011-2012 will see some exciting new projects hit the ground running that are aligned with the Bands strategic goals.