The Province is providing over $677,000 in new grants to help six communities in the Fraser-Nicola region diversify and strengthen their economies, Fraser-Nicola MLA Jackie Tegart announced today.

The funding announced today is part of the $8.1 million being provided to 73 local governments, First Nations and not-for-profit organizations around the province.

Ashcroft Indian Band is being awarded $99,620 to support the development of a large-scale commercial greenhouse. Funding of $58,247 to the Bridge River Indian Band will help them implement their community economic development plan.

The Lower Nicola Indian Band, in partnership with District of Logan Lake, receives $239,568 to create a development plan for the Pipseul Resource Recovery Park – a new eco-industrial park.

Nicola Valley Community Theatre Society is being awarded $100,000 to complete developing a multiplex community theatre in the historic downtown area of Merritt and to help increase the city’s tourism potential.

The Shackan Indian Band is being awarded $100,000 to streamline the corporate structure of the Shackan Development Corporation to support more effective partnerships with federal and provincial governments, as well as regulated the private-business and Industry sectors.

The Ts'kw'aylaxw First Nation is receiving $80,000 for a feasibility study on a potential gravel-mining operation with the intent to create employment and utilize existing facilities.

The BC Rural Dividend program provides grants of up to $100,000 each for single applicants, and up to $500,000 for partnerships, to promote economic diversity while contributing to a community’s overall liveability and sustainability.

Funding is available in four categories: community capacity building, workforce development, community and economic development, and business sector development.

As part of a continuous improvement process, the program’s eligibility requirements were reviewed over the summer months. The updated BC Rural Dividend Program Guide is now available online. The second intake of the BC Rural Dividend runs until Oct. 31. More details are available online: www.gov.bc.ca/ruraldividend

Quotes:

Fraser-Nicola MLA Jackie Tegart –

“There are many people that stand to benefit from these programs in all areas of the Fraser-Nicola. We are investing a significant amount of money back into the community and the people living there because we see the excellent potential in all of these projects. I encourage communities to take advantage of future funding opportunities by continuing to apply to rural dividend grants.”

Minister of Forests, Lands and Natural Resource Operations Steve Thomson –

“The response to the first application intake for projects was overwhelming. The diversity of applications received reflects that the Rural Dividend is applicant driven. Communities have submitted applications that are best suited to the unique needs of their community.”

Parliamentary Secretary Donna Barnett –

“The second project intake window runs until Oct. 31, which will see more communities benefit. One of the benefits of the Rural Dividend is that communities can apply as often as they like.”

Quick Facts:

• The BC Rural Dividend is part of government’s multi-faceted response to assisting rural communities and complements existing initiatives supporting rural communities.
• The criteria for the BC Rural Dividend were developed 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://ow.ly/NFhU301MfRv