Under the BC Rural Dividend Program, the Government of British Columbia is providing over $1.6 million for eight projects throughout the Nelson-Creston area.

“Whether it’s promoting partnerships with First Nations at the Nelson Museum, helping the Village of Kaslo develop opportunities for aviation and recreational tourism or building local government capacity to attract new business, these grants will go a long way to boost our rural communities,” said Michelle Mungall, MLA for Nelson-Creston.

Almost $19 million in 153 single applicant and partnership project grants are being awarded to eligible local governments, First Nations and not-for-profit organizations through the Rural Dividend Program.

These grants help fund projects that support economic development and diversification in rural communities throughout the province. Grants can be up to $100,000 for a single applicant project or up to $500,000 for partnership projects.

“This funding supports the diverse needs of small towns throughout the province and the people who live in them,” said Doug Donaldson, Minister of Forests, Lands, Natural Resource Operations and Rural Development. “Our government is getting results for people in small cities and towns in every region, creating jobs and enhancing everyday services and amenities for families around the province.”

The Rural Dividend is one aspect of government’s rural development mandate, which commits to making rural communities more resilient.

Quick Facts:

• Over $4.6 million in grants are being provided through the program’s special circumstances stream to support 23 applicants responding to economic challenges resulting from the loss of a main employer or the impacts of a natural disaster.
• Additionally, $673,124 were awarded through the project development stream to communities around the province to complete preliminary work to support future projects.
• The Rural Dividend encourages economic diversification through community capacity building, workforce development, community and economic development, and business sector development.
• The Government of British Columbia has committed to extending the $25-million-per-year Rural Dividend to 2021-22.

Learn More:

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

A backgrounder follows.