Rossland will receive a total of $71,443 to support local 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.

Rossland has been participating in the RMI program since 2007. It is prioritizing its RMI funding on projects that enhance the visitors’ experience and broaden available activities. Funding has gone toward projects such as improved signage, visitor centre enhancements and seasonal shuttle services.

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 –

“Tourism is a key economic driver in B.C. and we want to see our resort municipalities like Rossland thrive. Since 2007 the RMI program has provided more than $323,000 to enhance tourism infrastructure, services and amenities in the area ensuring visitors have a memorable experience. I am proud that our government continues to fund improvements so that visitors will continue to come back for years to come.”

Kathy Moore, mayor of Rossland –

“The City of Rossland is thrilled with the Province's continued support for the Resort Municipality Initiative. This is a key program for us. Tourism is a critical component of Rossland's economic health. Through this program, Rossland has been able to provide tourism infrastructure that we could not otherwise afford from our small residential tax base. Our winter shuttle service has made a huge difference: we can now accommodate large ski clubs and other groups who arrive without transportation. The shuttle is cost shared by the city's RMI allocation, our Destination Management Organization and many local businesses. In addition, the Resort Municipality Initiative has enabled us to provide way-finding signage that help visitors navigate our community.”

Quick Facts:

• Rossland is receiving $71,443 for FY 2015-16 and has received a total of $323,116 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