Sicamous and surrounding communities are ready to turn employment data into action to encourage local economic development after participating in a government-funded labour market study with Community Futures Shuswap.

Two projects, totalling $4.9-million, to resurface sections of Highway 1 and Highway 97A near Sicamous are now complete, improving travel for local residents, tourists and commercial drivers.

The governments of Canada, British Columbia and Sicamous will partner to build a new facility to treat drinking water for Sicamous and Mara Lake area residents.

Upgrades valued at $5.2 million will be coming to roads in the Shuswap this year, improving safety and travel for local residents, visitors and commercial drivers.

The government of B.C. is following through with a commitment made by Premier Christy Clark and will provide $50,000 toward pilot-testing the treatment plant technology proposed to fix the drinking water problems in Sicamous, announced Bill Bennett, Minister of Community, Sport and Cultural Development.

The Ministry of Jobs, Tourism and Innovation is partnering with the Thompson Okanagan Tourism Association (TOTA) and Shuswap Tourism on an "Open for Business" marketing campaign to promote tourism opportunities in the region.

A five-person Rapid Damage Assessment (RDA) team (one manager and two, 2-person damage assessment teams) has arrived in Sicamous and is working directly with the emergency operations centre.