Under the BC Rural Dividend, the Province is providing $48,000 to the District of Chetwynd, MLA for Peace River South Mike Bernier announced today.

The District of Chetwynd is being awarded $48,000 to develop an economic development strategy review for future development plans and their associated economic impact.

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

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, 2016. More details are available online at: www.gov.bc.ca/ruraldividend

Quotes:

MLA for Peace River South Mike Bernier –

“Through the BC Rural Dividend, we are working in partnership with our communities to boost their economic capacity and to employ existing and new residents – a need that is strongly felt in many rural areas. I’m pleased to see the District of Chetwynd benefit from this partnership and I encourage all our local communities, not-for-profits and First Nations to consider applying for the next round of funding.”

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