By this time next year a new tech firm in town aims to double its head count.
Cryogenics specialists Quantum Technology relocated from Burnaby to Squamish, officially opening its office at Quest University last month. The company employs six staff and is looking to hire a couple more, Quantum president Calvin Winter said. By next year he hopes to double that.
We are on track for that now, Winter said.
Squamish's outdoor lifestyle is an appealing quality to lure more technology-based industries to the community, he said. Quantum develops technology that recovers helium for reuse. A global shortage of the lighter-than-air gas has thrust the company's devices into the forefront.
Already Quantum has attracted visitors to Squamish from south of the border and other provinces.
I expect that other people will come here, Winter said.
Besides the office space at Quest, Quantum opened a workshop in the industrial park. Winter said finding commercial/industrial space in Squamish wasn't difficult, but securing a high-end office was.
It might be a soft market but it is sparse, he said.
Down the road Winter hopes to volunteer time to Quest and create a science club that could meet once a week.
District of Squamish officials have been examining ways to keep and lure businesses to the municipality. This spring officials enacted development incentives, following a report on a municipal business retention and expansion program compiled in April 2012.
