Grants totalling up to $1 million are being provided to help local governments in the Northwest plan for economic growth associated with new industrial developments, Community Sport and Cultural Development Minister Coralee Oakes announced today.

Oakes joined representatives from Northwest communities and Northern Development Initiative Trust in announcing two new grant programs that will help local governments update their bylaws and official community plans, as well as review and assess local infrastructure needs to prepare for LNG developments and industrial expansion.

The grants are available to the City of Terrace, City of Prince Rupert, District of Kitimat, District of Port Edward, Regional District of Kitimat-Stikine and the Skeena-Queen Charlotte Regional District.

Two grant programs, at up to $500,000 each, will assist communities to develop plans for:

• Asset Management Capacity Building − grants will support the review of infrastructure capacity (water, sewer, drainage, local roads) and assist communities in determining what additional services are needed for their specific growth needs.
• Community Land-Use Planning - grants will assist local governments to do the work required so that their land use bylaws, policies and plans align with the needs for industrial expansion and maintain community health and quality of life for existing residents. This could include updating local official community plans or zoning bylaws, or conducting new studies for targeted areas like housing affordability.

This announcement surpasses the commitment made by Premier Clark at the Union of British Columbia Municipalities’ 2013 Convention to help the Northwest plan for success.

(flickr.com)

Quotes:

Minister of Community, Sport and Cultural Development Coralee Oakes −

“Our government is committed to ensuring local communities realize all opportunities afforded by major industrial developments. Preparing for economic growth is a good challenge to have - and these grants will augment the existing tools available to communities to ensure they develop and update community plans to build vibrant, sustainable communities well into the future.”

Janine North, chief executive officer, Northern Development Initiative Trust −

“Northern Development is a regional economic development trust that provides funding and capacity building services to build a stronger north. We believe that the Province’s investment in Northwest community readiness is an example that will serve the development of diversified sustainable communities in the Northwest. It will also provide a great model for other regions that grapple with new industrial opportunities.”

City of Terrace Mayor David Pernarowski −

“Terrace is experiencing major growth due to all the economic development in the area and these Northern Development grants will help us meet the challenges that come as a result. Northern Development Initiative Trust has given us a lot of support over the last decade and we appreciate their assistance in helping us build an even more vibrant community. ”

Quick Links:

Community, Sport and Cultural Development: http://www.gov.bc.ca/cscd/

Northern Development Initiative Trust: www.northerndevelopment.bc.ca/

Media Contacts:

Ministry of Community, Sport and Cultural Development
250 507-3418

Northern Development Initiative Trust
Director, Communications
250 561-2824