Fernie will receive a total of $383,316 for projects that help support tourism infrastructure and amenities, Bill Bennett, MLA for Kootenay East 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.

Fernie has been participating in the RMI program since 2009. It is prioritizing its RMI funding on a number of infrastructure enhancements that beautify its public spaces as well as many amenities that will help to boost the visitor experience. Current and past project include: improvements to signage and to recreational trails, creation of a visitor shuttle and information centre and the promotion of cultural and heritage events and festivals.

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 –

“The RMI program has been a great shot in the arm for Fernie by helping to expand and strengthen its tourism infrastructure. This type of funding over the past several years has helped Fernie become an all season destination that attracts visitors from around the world.”

Mary Giuliano, mayor of Fernie –

“The tourist-friendly amenities that have become a part of our community thanks to the Resort Municipality Initiative would not have been possible if they had to be paid for with traditional revenue sources.Sustained funding through this program will allow us to continue to provide the type of infrastructure needed to build a strong tourism economy by ensuring that visitors keep coming back year after year.”

Quick Facts:

• Fernie is receiving $383,316 for FY 2015-16 and has received a total of $2,837,523 since 2009.
• 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