Under the BC Rural Dividend, the provincial government is providing $100,000 to the Fort Nelson region, Minister of Forests, Lands and Natural Resource Operations Steve Thomson and Minister of State for Rural Economic Development Donna Barnett announced today.

$50,000 is being awarded to the Fort Nelson First Nation and $50,000 will go to the Northern Rockies Regional Municipality. The funds will be used to support initiatives that will diversify and expand the forest economy in the region.

This funding is being provided under the Rural Dividend’s provision for special circumstances for communities experiencing significant economic hardship.

Over $15 million in grants has been awarded in the second intake of rural dividend applications. The third application runs from April 3 to May 31, 2017.

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 is a key commitment from the 2015 Union of British Columbia Municipalities convention and in the Province’s Balanced Budgets for 2016 and 2017.

Under the guidelines of the BC Rural Dividend, single applicants can apply for up to $100,000 for community-driven projects and must contribute at least 20% of the total project cost. Applicants representing partnerships can apply for up to $500,000 and must contribute 40% of the total project cost.

The $25-million-per-year BC Rural Dividend Fund was extended for a fourth year in Balanced Budget 2017. Funding is available in four categories:

• Community capacity building;
• Workforce development;
• Community and economic development; and
• Business-sector development.

The BC Rural Dividend is just one of the ways government is taking action to strengthen rural communities. To support the needs of rural communities and grow local economies, the Province released a rural economic development strategy to help communities leverage their strengths and build on the significant contributions they have made to B.C.’s economy.

The BC Rural Dividend also supports the Province’s goals in the forest sector competitiveness agenda to support rural, resource-dependent communities and to build economic capacity, community opportunities and develop partnerships with First Nations in the forest sector.

Quotes:

Steve Thomson, Minister of Forests, Lands and Natural Resource Operations –

“Those living in and around Fort Nelson have informed us of the difficulties facing the forest industry in the area. The Rural Dividend funding being provided will help the Fort Nelson First Nation and Northern Rockies Regional Municipality develop a strong plan for their community forest and keep the forest sector as a strong economic driver in their communities.”

Donna Barnett, Minister of State for Rural Economic Development –

“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 like Fort Nelson and lay the foundation for future growth, economic certainty and opportunity for all British Columbians.”

Councillor Sharleen Gale, Acting Chief of Fort Nelson First Nation –

“The importance of a sustainable forest industry to members of the Fort Nelson First Nations cannot be overstated. The decline of forestry in the Fort Nelson area has had serious impacts on our local economy, resulting in reduced employment opportunities for our members. We look forward to working with the Northern Rockies Regional Municipality on initiatives that will diversify and expand the forest economy in the region, utilizing innovative forestry practices that maintain our treaty rights and the integrity of the land. We thank the Province for recognizing and responding to our special circumstances.”

Bill Streeper, mayor, Northern Rockies Regional Municipality –

“The decline of our local forest sector has caused a lot of hardship for families, who have historically depended on forestry for their livelihoods, in the Fort Nelson area. This Rural Dividend funding from the Province will help support the sustainability of our community as we work collaboratively with the Fort Nelson First Nation to develop initiatives that will help us find new opportunities in forestry.”

Learn More:

Fort Nelson First Nation: http://www.fortnelsonfirstnation.org

Northern Rockies Regional Municipality: http://www.northernrockies.ca

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

Rural Advisory Council: http://ow.ly/NFhU301MfRv

B.C.’s Rural Economic Development Strategy: https://bcjobsplan.gov.bc.ca/b-c-s-rural-economic-development-strategy

Strong Past, Bright Future: A Competitiveness Agenda for British Columbia’s Forest Sector, along with the Value Added Sector Action Plan, British Columbia Pulp and Paper Sustainability: Sector Challenges and Future Opportunities, and other supporting documents, can be found at: www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/industry/forestry/competitive-forest-industry