Under the BC Rural Dividend, the Province is providing over $69,000 in seven new project development grants to the Shuswap region, MLA for Shuswap Greg Kyllo announced today.

The Armstrong Spallumcheen Chamber of Commerce is being awarded $10,000 to develop a plan that will eventually create a co-ordinated marketing strategy for the community.

Splats'in Development Corporation will receive $10,000 to develop Aboriginal tourism and build a strong Aboriginal tourism industry for the Sexqeltkemc te Secwepemc (the Lakes Division Bands of Splats'in, Adams Lake and Neskonlith).

The Neskonlith Indian Band is getting $10,000 to establish a Friendship Accord/Memorandum of Understanding with the City of Salmon Arm to lay the foundation for future collaborative projects. 

The Okanagan College Foundation gets $10,000 to conduct a workforce needs assessment and analysis for the Salmon Arm technology sector.

The Shuswap Hut and Trail Alliance Society will receive $9,809 to prepare technical field assessments that will prioritise destination tourism trails, as identified in the Shuswap Trails Strategy.

The District of Sicamous is being awarded $10,000 to conduct a feasibility study to determine if a community bioenergy project in Sicamous could displace the use of traditional energy sources at key community buildings and industrial facilities.

The Switzmalph Cultural Society is getting $9,995 to recover and transplant indigenous plants affected by the Mary Thomas cultural interpretive trails project that runs along the Salmon River.

These are seven 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 Shuswap Greg Kyllo –

“I’m thrilled that so many diverse groups in my riding have taken the time to submit their innovative project development applications. The quality and calibre of these projects will absolutely create jobs, stimulate local economies and improve the quality of life in the Shuswap.”

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