Under the BC Rural Dividend, the Province is providing a total of $358,332 to Shxw'owhamel First Nation, Yale First Nation, Boston Bar, Village of Harrison Hot Springs and the Hope & Area Transition Society, Chilliwack-Hope MLA Laurie Throness announced today.

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

Shxw'owhamel First Nation is being awarded $71,976 to develop a strategy for the development of vacant land next to Highway 1. Funding of $99,990 will allow Yale First Nation to deliver a 12-week, forestry-related training program to eight of their members.

Boston Bar will receive $60,130 to implement corporate management training to support tourism development. The Village of Harrison Hot Springs will use its grant of $80,000 to improve the visual quality of the Miami River flood pump and give it value as a tourist site with local art, Indigenous plantings and viewing areas.

The Hope & Area Transition Society is being awarded $46,236 to help establish a network of community resources and holistic services that will support vulnerable individuals in achieving healthy lifestyles.

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:

Chilliwack-Hope MLA Laurie Throness –

“The Yale and Shxwowhamel First Nations deserve a great deal of credit for developing new economic opportunities. The same applies to local governments in Hope, Boston Bar and Harrison Hot Springs seeking to enhance tourism in our region. I would also like to acknowledge the important work of the Hope Transition Society to help those most in need.”   

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