Under the BC Rural Dividend Program, the Government of British Columbia is providing $100,000 to the Gabriola Island Chamber of Commerce, Doug Routley, MLA for Nanaimo-North Cowichan, announced today on behalf of Doug Donaldson, Minister of Forests, Lands, Natural Resource Operations and Rural Development.

“While Gabriola Island is one of B.C.’s top destinations to visit and live, its residents and businesses face unique challenges,” said Routley. “This BC Rural Dividend grant will help the Gabriola Island Chamber of Commerce in its ongoing work to promote economic development and develop new markets.”

The funding is part of nearly $8 million in 58 project grants being awarded to eligible local governments, First Nations and not-for-profit organizations through the BC Rural Dividend Program. Rural dividend grants help fund projects that will stabilize rural economies. Grants can be up to $100,000 each, or up to $500,000 each for partnership projects.

The Gabriola Island Chamber of Commerce will use the rural dividend grant to develop a homegrown strategy for economic prosperity on Gabriola Island. The strategy will include, among other things, a staffed economic-development office, a comprehensive island asset inventory, a pilot entrepreneur-in-residence program, and branding and market-readiness workshops.

“Government is following through on its commitment to help rural communities navigate changes that have impacted local economies, by supporting local business development and creating new partnerships to promote shared prosperity,” Donaldson said. “These rural dividend grants are bringing positive change to rural communities throughout B.C.”

Earlier this month, nearly $5 million was granted to fund 30 projects in wildfire-impacted areas and two communities that were affected by the shutdown of local mills.

The rural dividend encourages economic diversification, innovation, sustainability and collaboration, and recognizes the diverse needs of individual communities.

As part of Budget 2018, the Government of British Columbia committed to extending the $25-million-per-year rural dividend to 2020-21. The rural dividend is one aspect of government’s rural development mandate, which is committed to making rural communities more resilient.

Learn More:

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