Harrison Hot Springs will receive a total of $283,359 for projects that help support tourism infrastructure and amenities, MLA for Chilliwack-Hope Laurie Throness announced today.

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.

Harrison Hot Springs has been participating in the RMI program since 2007. It is prioritizing its RMI funding on a number of infrastructure enhancements that beautify public spaces across the village and increase pedestrian access and tourism appeal of the downtown area. Current and past projects include development of beach and lagoon areas, enhancement of the village centre streetscape, as well as Lakeshore Plaza and Promenade improvements. Other activities designed to enhance the visitor experience include a growing range of festivals and cultural events.

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:

Laurie Throness, MLA for Chilliwack-Hope –

“Local residents have seen the improvements that have taken place under this funding arrangement and I am pleased to support the extension of this program. Harrison Hot Springs is a prime destination for tourism in B.C. and we need to keep it beautiful.”

Mayor Leo Facio, Village of Harrison Hot Springs –

“The Resort Municipality Initiative is an important program for the Village of Harrison Hot Springs. The village has invested funds from this program into several critical tourism infrastructure projects including, the streetscape revitalization project on Esplanade Avenue and the new village gateway. These projects are made possible because of the Resort Municipality Initiative for small tourism-based resort communities like Harrison Hot Springs. I am pleased to learn that the Province has extended the program until 2017, allowing us to invest in further in our tourism infrastructure.”

Quick Facts:

• Harrison Hot Springs is receiving: $283,359 for FY 2015-16 and has received a total of $2,831,105 since 2007.
• 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://engage.gov.bc.ca/bcjobsplan/

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