Rural communities working to develop projects are reminded that the submission deadline for the second intake of applications under the BC Rural Dividend is Monday, Oct. 31, 2016.

The reminder was issued by Minister of State for Rural Economic Development Donna Barnett.

The BC Rural Dividend offers eligible applicants the chance to access government funding that will help support their efforts to build and diversify their local economies. It complements other government programs and aims to contribute to the overall sustainability of B.C.’s small rural communities.

Decisions on $10,000 project-development applications are expected in early 2017. Decisions on single applicant ($100,000) and partnerships applications ($500,000) are expected before March 31, 2017.

The updated program guide, including new eligibility requirements and project categories, is available online at: www.gov.bc.ca/ruraldividend.

An inventory of government tools and programs available to support communities with rural development is available at: http://ow.ly/6KY6305gpVv

This month the Province released its progress report that highlights actions taken since the 2014 rural development strategy was released. The report, “Accelerating Success for British Columbia’s Rural Communities,” also contains a map of all the successful proponents from the first intake. The report is available online at: http://ow.ly/2bKl304Vk9H

Funding of $25 million per year, over three years, is available in four categories:

• Community capacity building
• Workforce development
• Community and economic development, and
• Business sector development.

Quick Facts:

• To date, over $8.6 million has been awarded to 120 communities and organizations around the province.
• The criteria for the BC 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