Under the BC Rural Dividend, the Province is providing $10,000 in a new project development grant to the Village of McBride, MLA for Prince George-Valemount Shirley Bond announced today.

The Village of McBride is being awarded $10,000 to develop a McBride Pocket Community. The grant will be used to conduct a study that will recommend a plan to implement compact, affordable, sustainable and efficient (CASE) housing for local residents.

This is one 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 Prince George-Valemount Shirley Bond –

“It is great to see that McBride has been successful in receiving funding from the Rural Dividend program to complete a study that will look at innovative housing solutions, including compact housing models. As an MLA I often have conversations with my constituents about the need for a variety of accessible and affordable housing options and this funding will allow McBride to explore the potential of some very creative solutions.”

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