The Government of British Columbia is providing $25,000 to conserve historic coal mine structures in Morden Colliery Historic Provincial Park near Nanaimo.

The Province is contributing $100,000 to expand business training for current and potential entrepreneurs in communities throughout B.C., including Nanaimo and surrounding area.

Skilled trades students in the Nanaimo and Cowichan Valley school districts will benefit from a three-year, $15-million investment by the B.C. government to support youth trades programs with the purchase of new trades training equipment.

Students in the Nanaimo-Ladysmith School District will benefit from over $1.8 million in provincial funding for school upgrade projects and classroom supplies, MLA Michelle Stilwell announced on behalf of Education Minister Mike Bernier.

Nanaimo and Parksville will receive a combined sum of $272,470 in BikeBC funding this year, announced MLA for Parksville-Qualicum Beach Michelle Stilwell on behalf of Transportation and Infrastructure Minister Todd Stone.

The Province is investing $24 million to increase access for low-income families to fresh food, dental and hearing care for children, and to support community initiatives to reduce poverty.

Nanaimo Airport will receive $175,607 in funding from the B.C. Air Access Program this year for the North Apron Expansion Project, announced MLA for Parksville-Qualicum Michelle Stilwell on behalf of Minister of Transportation and Infrastructure Todd Stone.

Work has begun to upgrade the intersection at Highway 19 and Lantzville Road with a project that includes a new traffic signal, a northbound acceleration lane onto the highway and overhead street lighting, as well as pedestrian crosswalks, curbs and islands.