Media Contacts

Media Relations

Ministry of Forests, Lands, Natural Resource Operations and Rural Development
250 356-7506

Backgrounders

BC Rural Dividend project awards for Thompson-Nicola
  • Cook's Ferry Indian Band is being awarded $74,416 to create an agricultural development strategy. The project includes a review of existing irrigation infrastructure, investments required to support land development and agriculture best-management practices to sustain long-term opportunities for the Band.
  • The District Municipality of Clearwater is being awarded $150,000 to construct two multi-use pathways within the community and a mountain bike trail system to serve residents and tourists. The project includes an accessibility trail to Dutch Lake beach, a two-car paved accessible parking pad and the Wyndhaven Safety Connector.
  • Kanaka Bar Indian Band is being awarded $79,500 to implement Phase 1 of the Highway 1 Redevelopment Strategy. This project builds on a report funded in a previous intake and will complete geotechnical and environmental assessments for service and infrastructure opportunities on Kanaka Bar lands on Highway 1 near Lytton.
  • The District of Logan Lake is being awarded $100,000 for Phase 2 of the Logan Lake Off-highway Vehicle Trail Enhancement project. The project will establish, upgrade and enhance a series of local off-highway vehicle trail routes for visitors and residents alike.
  • The Lower Nicola Indian Band is being awarded $57,000 for an economic development plan. The project will identify and assess infrastructure, land and potential economic investment opportunities on Band land.
  • The City of Merritt is being awarded $100,000 for six projects that will help the community grow and build economic capacity. Projects include: new welcome banners, trailhead markers, updating the Investment Ready Community Profile and hiring a grant writer to support the city, local businesses and not-for-profit organizations.
  • The Lower North Thompson Community Forest Society is being awarded $64,621 to brush and clear non-motorized, horse riding trails along Skull Mountain and the Seven Sisters trail system. The project will also install an outhouse, fire rings and picnic tables at Fishtrap Creek Recreation Site.
  • Nooaitch Indian Band is being awarded $81,500 to create a community economic development plan. The completed project will include a best-use strategy for marketable uses of land, as well as an assessment of investment climate, infrastructure and clean energy feasibility.
  • The Nicomen Indian Band Natural Resources Management Division is being awarded $100,000 to develop an agricultural development plan. The project will assess agricultural opportunities on Band land and includes community consultation, soil analysis and hydrological assessments.
  • The Shackan Indian Band is being awarded $100,000 for Phase 1 of a project that will expand and relocate a greenhouse business at Shakan Indian Reserve 11. Expanding the native deciduous plant greenhouse will increase revenue and create jobs for Band members.
  • The Simpcw First Nation is being awarded $99,860 to develop preliminary site plans and curriculum, as well as project management costs, for a cultural education centre. The centre will provide training and education to help preserve Secwepemc language and culture. 
  • The Thompson-Nicola Regional District is being awarded $100,000 to create a digital photo library of locations and subjects in the Thompson-Nicola region. The project includes an image library that will be used to attract film production companies, as well as for marketing, informational and educational purposes.
  • Whispering Pines/Clinton Indian Band is being awarded $100,000 to develop a feasibility and design study for a new multipurpose recreation and tourism facility that will complement the Band’s existing rodeo grounds and motocross track. The project includes site selection, archaeological review and geotechnical field investigations.