Golden will receive a total of $554,708 for projects that help to support tourism infrastructure and amenities.

The funding comes from the government’s Resort Municipality Initiative (RMI) which helps to grow the tourism sector in eligible municipalities. This year, the B.C. government is providing a total of $10.5 million to 14 eligible communities and is extending the RMI program for another year to the end of 2017.

Municipalities eligible for RMI funding are Fernie, Golden, Harrison Hot Springs, Invermere, Kimberley, Osoyoos, Radium Hot Springs, Revelstoke, Rossland, Sun Peaks, Tofino, Ucluelet, Valemount and Whistler.

More than $98.1 million in RMI funding has been invested since 2006 to support tourism infrastructure and programs, helping to grow these local and regional economies.

Golden has been participating in the RMI program since 2006. It is prioritizing its RMI funding on a number of projects that enhance the visitors’ experience within the region and broadens available activities. Recent projects include the design, construction, installation and curation of four landmark interpretive as well as Highway 1 Corridor Enhancements. The upgrade includes landscaping improvements alongside the roadway, giving tourists an even more positive first impression of the community.

Tourism is one of the sectors identified in the BC Jobs Plan, which continues to build on the strengths of eight of the province’s most-competitive sectors, utilizing B.C.’s educated and skilled workforce, keeping the economy diverse, strong and growing.

The B.C. tourism industry created 132,200 jobs and generated $13.9 billion in revenues in 2013. RMI supports the BC Jobs Plan and Gaining the Edge: B.C.’s Tourism Strategy by helping resort-based municipalities address the unique challenges they face as seasonally dependent economies. In addition to RMI funding, the Province invests more than $90 million annually in the tourism sector throughout B.C.

Quotes:

Bill Bennett, MLA for Kootenay East and Minister of Energy and Mines –

“First impressions are always important. Since 2006 the RMI program has provided more than $5.8 million to Golden allowing them to take on beautification projects and to improve tourism infrastructure, services and amenities. Tourism is a key economic driver for the region, and I am proud that our government continues to fund improvements so that resort municipalities like Golden can give visitors a memorable experience, enticing them to keep coming back.”

Ron Oszust, mayor of Golden –

“Once again, the Province is providing an infusion of funding critical to small resort communities like ours to bolster our amenity infrastructure and meet the ever increasing demands of the marketplace on our growing tourism economies. With unmitigated success, this funding program has proven a sound economic and promotional partnership between the Province and 14 communities that generates significant and long lasting benefits for our economy and society.”

Quick Facts:

• Golden is receiving $554,708 for FY 2015-16 and has received a total of $5,871,091 since 2006.
• More than $98.1 million in RMI funding has been invested since 2006 to support tourism infrastructure and programs, helping to grow these communities’ local and regional economies.
• In 2014, 4.7 million international visitors came to B.C. – a 5.3% increase and nearly a quarter of a million more people than the previous year.
• In 2013, tourism provided a direct contribution to B.C.’s gross domestic product of $7.3 billion, accounting for 4% of the province’s total GDP.
• In 2013, the tourism sector employed 132,200 British Columbians – that is about one in every 15 jobs in B.C.

Learn More:

BC Jobs Plan: http://www.bcjobsplan.ca/

To learn more about the Resort Municipality Initiative visit: http://ow.ly/R0k5j