The Nadleh Whut’en First Nation and the Corporation of the Village of Fraser Lake will receive a total of $153,168 to support economic diversification and create local employment opportunities under the special circumstances provision of the BC Rural Dividend.

“We’re aware that some rural communities are facing difficulties in the aftermath of wildfire season and other challenges in the forest industry,” said Doug Donaldson, Minister of Forests, Lands, Natural Resource Operations and Rural Development. “We’ve prioritized certain project applications to help First Nations and rural communities ensure they remain healthy and economically viable places to live and raise families.”

The Nadleh Whut’en will receive $89,168 for the Referrals Office Development Project in Fort Fraser. This project will establish a staffed referrals office to assess, respond to and manage partnership, industry and economic development opportunities and projects in the Nadleh Whut’en communities.

“We are happy to have the opportunity to train community personnel to staff the referrals office, build capacity with the nation and improve engagement with industry representatives,” said Chief Larry Nooski.

The Corporation of the Village of Fraser Lake is getting $64,000 to complete topographic, geotechnical and environmental engineering reviews, and pre-design assessment documents for the instalment of an additional cell at the Fraser Lake Wastewater Lagoon. The project will also support the development of a Water Stewardship Plan for the community.

“The Village of Fraser Lake would like to thank the Province and the Rural Dividend fund for their very much appreciated support in awarding us this grant,” said Sarrah Storey, mayor. “This funding will allow us to achieve our goal of improving our wastewater management practices. Our vision is one that involves three communities and includes working to ensure we have a safe and sustainable environment, while also making Fraser Lake the cleanest lake in B.C. for everyone, including future generations, to enjoy.”

In Budget 2018, the Government of British Columbia committed to extending the $25-million per year Rural Dividend to 2020-21.

So far in 2018-19, including this funding, $3,801,294 have been awarded under special circumstances throughout the province. Final decisions on project applications from the fifth intake for single applicants (up to $100,000) and partnerships (up to $500,000) will be announced next month.

This month, the Province also provided $673,124 in project development grants to 68 local governments, First Nations and not-for-profit organizations around B.C.

The Rural Dividend is one aspect of government’s rural development mandate, which is committed to supporting rural communities to reinvigorate and diversify their local economies.

Learn More:

Nadleh Whut’en First Nation: www.nadleh.ca/  

Corporation of the Village of Fraser Lake: www.fraserlake.ca/

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