Radium Hot Springs will receive a total of $101,583 for projects that help to support tourism infrastructure and visitor services.

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.

Radium Hot Springs has been participating in the RMI program since 2007. It is prioritizing its RMI funding on projects that enhances visitors’ experience and broadens available activities including downtown beautification, the Adventure Radium Youth Camp, a trail connector to the hot springs as well as 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 our 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 –

“Radium has been a visitor ‘hot’ spot and since 2007 the RMI program has provided more than $1 million to help enhance tourism infrastructure and develop new amenities and services for the area. Tourism is a key economic driver for the region, and I am proud that our government continues to fund improvements that will entice visitors to keep coming back.”

Mayor Clara Reinhardt, Village of Radium Hot Springs –

“Our community grows four fold on busy weekends. This funding assists with funding for extra projects, which encourage people to come back due to their great experience in Radium Hot Springs, BC!”

Quick Facts:

• Radium is receiving $101,583 for FY 2015/16 and has received $1,066,618 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://www.bcjobsplan.ca/

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