Under the BC Rural Dividend, the Province is providing $60,000 in new grants to the Fraser Nicola region, MLA for Fraser Nicola Jackie Tegart announced today.

Community Futures Development Corporation of Sun Country is being awarded $10,000 to create a business plan for the short- and long-term management of the McAbee Fossil Beds Heritage Site east of Cache Creek.

The Lillooet Agriculture and Food Society will receive $10,000 to create an agriculture sector market access and growth strategy to take advantage of the significant agricultural land holdings in Lillooet.

Lillooet and District Chamber of Commerce gets $10,000 to develop a business plan to examine the creation of a regional destination tourism organization, and a tour bus co-ordination pilot project.

Lillooet Regional Invasive Species Society receives $10,000 to provide workshops and training sessions on natural resource topics, including invasive species, bear safety and archaeology.

Squamish-Lillooet Regional District will receive $10,000 to form a community economic development committee in partnership with the St'át'imc communities.

St'át'imc Eco Resources Ltd. is getting $10,000 to determine the feasibility of a new power transmission and distribution line company.

These are six of 77 successful project development grants. More than $756,000 is being awarded to eligible communities, First Nations and non-profit organizations under the three-year, $75-million BC Rural Dividend.

One hundred eligible project development applications were received from around the province during the second application intake.

The BC Rural Dividend is designed to help eligible rural communities diversify and strengthen their economies and contribute to their overall wellness and sustainability. The program will contribute to the strength and sustainability of small rural communities. It is a key commitment from the 2015 Union of British Columbia Municipalities convention and the Province’s Balanced Budget 2016.

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.

The BC Rural Dividend is one of the ways the B.C. government is taking action to strengthen rural communities. To support the needs of rural communities and grow local economies, the Province will be releasing a Rural Economic Development Strategy in the near future. The strategy will help rural communities leverage their strengths and build on the significant contributions they have made to B.C.’s economy, creating new economic opportunities and enriching the unique lifestyle advantages rural B.C. has to offer.

Quotes:

MLA for Fraser Nicola Jackie Tegart –

“Each of these grants will play a part in helping to diversify and reinvigorate our region and make it not only a prime destination for visitors, but also a better place for everyone to live and work.”

Minister of State for Rural Economic Development Donna Barnett –

“The BC Rural Dividend was developed to ensure that rural British Columbians can share in economic opportunities now and into the future. These investments will build capacity in rural communities and lay the foundation for future growth, economic certainty and opportunity for all British Columbians.”

Learn More:

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