Entry 11: New Business and Old Fears
April 12, 2001
Population: 1,410
The Navnår Conglomerate
The lucrative nature of fishing in the Atlantic Ocean led to the formation of numerous fishing corporations along Norway’s western coast. The Navnår Conglomerate was once such company. Incorporated in 1998, Navnår was created by a group of wealthy ship captains that wanted a fisherman-owned company, free from the usual corporate red tape.
In less than a year after forming, Navnår has amassed a fleet of 30 fishing vessels that have an operational range that includes 350 kilometers of Norway’s coast. Shortly after formation, the company started searching for a home port to establish a corporate headquarters. Kanin Fjord was not the first choice for a new port; however, after both a referral from one of their captains and the realization that the town was roughly in the middle of Navnår’s operational range, the company decided to invest in Kanin Fjord.
Once invested in the town, Navnår funded the construction of a new port, and began hiring townsfolk. In early 2000, their new port opened in town, and the year after, their cooperate headquarters was operational.
While Navnår moving into town was widely viewed in positive light, some of the village elders had reservations. They began to question if the town merely traded one sin for another. Did Kanin Fjord give up superstitious fear only to replace it with cooperate greed? Only time will tell.
The Legend of the Sulten Skygge persists
Nearly three years after the town’s greatest disaster since World War 2, an ominous and bizarre belief has spread amongst the town’s Norse believers. They began believing that the South Port Disaster wasn’t caused by blatant neglect, but rather by the Sulten Skygge escaping from its prison in the port. After escaping, in an act of rage, the angry spirit punished the town by destroying the port that imprisoned it.
Now, a new fear permeates the Norsefolk; The Sulten Skygge is once again free to terrorize the Fjord. Not only is it free, it is furious with the town. The very nature of the spirit’s deal with the goddess Rán, limits the Sulten Skygge to the fjord and coastlines. It cannot travel inland. Because of this, not a single person who still believes would dare venture to the coastline in the dark.
The old fear of an undead spirit was once again beginning to affect some business. Anyone who believed in the legend refused to work on the water at night. All of the new businesses brought into town had difficulty hiring believers due to most of the jobs being located along the coastline.
Rapid Growth
By the start of 2000, Kanin Fjord’s population was dropping, reaching a low of 1,062. After Navnår moved into town and brought numerous other businesses with it, by April of 2001, the population increased by a staggering 348 people in a single year. This growth corresponded with extensive westward expansion of the town, and the construction of many modern amenities including a grocery store, hardware store, and other various other businesses.
Even with new subdivisions and housing developing to the west, Kanin Fjord still lacks the necessary land space for new residents. Aside from expanding the city across the shores of the fjords, the only other direction to build was up. High density residential development was an attractive alternative to the land shortage. Low-rise apartments began to spring up to the west.
Navnår’s New Corporate Headquarters
Rebuilt South Port Fuel Station
Kanin Fjord’s first grocery store.
The town’s first hardware store.
New light industrial development along Kaninfjorden to the west of Kanin Fjord. Lacking suitable land for development, the town’s only option for large-scale development was to construct a narrow industrial corridor between E220 and the coastline.
New residential development to the west.
While, most homes were developed by individual builders, some professional development companies began moving in and constructing small subdivisions with uniform building design.
Sleipnir Apartments, located at the western edge of town. This apartment complex offers a unique view of Kaninfjorden from a lookout post constructed on the cliffside.
A few night shorts of the west side of town.
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