The Province has awarded $110,000 to the Rocky Mountain Trench Natural Resource Society to help restore grasslands and forests in the East Kootenay and Columbia Valley.

The Province is providing $250,000 to the Kootenay Livestock Association over the next three years for projects administered under the Grassland and Rangeland Enhancement Program (GREP), Bill Bennett, MLA for Kootenay East, announced on behalf of Minister of Forests, Lands and Natural Resource Operations Steve Thomson.

Building on the economic benefits and jobs created by getting to yes on major projects and provincial investments in infrastructure, Kootenay East MLA Bill Bennett announced immediate investments and a long-term action plan outlined in B.C.’s rural economic development strategy that will create jobs and economic opportunities in the Kootenays.

Students in the Southeast Kootenay School District are connecting with skills and technology training development thanks to a $17,500 grant to the district from the Province’s Shoulder Tappers Program.

Students, teachers and staff at Jaffray Elementary/Junior Secondary school in the Southeast Kootenay school district will benefit from $556,785 in provincial School Enhancement Program funding.  

Families in the Southeast Kootenay school district will benefit from improved transportation services, thanks to $361,459 in funding under the new provincial Student Transportation Fund.

Recreation Sites and Trails BC is warning residents and visitors to keep pets on leash in the Cranbrook Community Forest, or avoid the area altogether, after two dogs died recently from ingesting a poisonous substance.

Premier Christy Clark announced $450,000 to support the transition and planning work that will allow nursing students at the College of the Rockies to complete the four-year University of Victoria degree program in the region.