Revelstoke will receive a total of $590,762 to support local 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.

Revelstoke has been participating in the RMI program since 2008. It is prioritizing its RMI funding on projects that enhance the visitors’ experience within the region and broadens available activities including improvements to snowmobile and mountain bike trails, as well as museum upgrades and public art projects.

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 driver of B.C.’s economy and we know that Resort Municipalities like Revelstoke are integral to keeping our province diverse, strong and growing. Since 2008, the RMI program has provided more than $4.1 million to enhance Revelstoke’s tourism infrastructure. I am proud that our government continues to fund improvements that will entice visitors to keep coming back to beautiful British Columbia.”

Mark McKee, mayor of Revelstoke –

“Funding from the Resort Municipality Initiative has created many opportunities for the resort community of Revelstoke to dedicate resources into maintaining and developing a strong tourism economy. The City of Revelstoke appreciates the opportunity the funding provides to attract more visitors, entice longer stays, and add to the identity of our beautiful resort community.”

Quick Facts:

• Revelstoke is receiving $590,762 for FY 2015-16 and has received a total of $4,107,216 since 2008.
• 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