Rural communities are reminded that the submission deadline for the first intake of applications in the first year of funding under the BC Rural Dividend is May 31, 2016.

Decisions on project development applications are expected by early summer. Project development funding provides up to $10,000 to help eligible communities with limited capacity build business cases and feasibility assessments. Decisions on other categories of applications are expected in early fall.

A second project intake will begin on Oct. 3, 2016.

As committed during the September 2015 Union of British Columbia Municipalities convention and in Balanced Budget 2016, the three-year $75-million Rural Dividend was designed to help rural communities with populations under 25,000 diversify and strengthen their economies. The program aims to contribute to the overall wellness and sustainability of B.C.’s small rural communities.

Program guidelines, detailed information about eligibility requirements, project categories and the application process are all available online at: www.gov.bc.ca/ruraldividend

Application support is available through FrontCounter BC at 1 877 855-322, or: FrontCounterBC@gov.bc.ca

Program staff can be contacted directly at: ruraldividend@gov.bc.ca

The rural dividend program is part of government’s multi-faceted response to assisting rural communities and complements existing initiatives supporting rural communities, such as the Strategic Priorities Fund, New Building Canada – Small Communities Fund, Strategic Wildfire Prevention Initiative and B.C.’s community transition teams.

Applications that are not funded in a particular intake period may be re-submitted in a future intake period.

The criteria for the Rural Dividend was conceived with input from the 13-member Rural Advisory Council, which was formed in March 2015.

Learn More:

Rural Dividend: www.gov.bc.ca/ruraldividend

Rural Advisory Council: http://www2.news.gov.bc.ca/news_releases_2013-2017/2015flnr0030-000309.htm