Communities in the Bulkley-Nechako region are receiving a combined $37.5 million from the Province to help address long-standing infrastructure needs and support planning for future opportunities.

The following communities in Bulkley-Nechako will receive the new grant:

• Bulkley-Nechako Regional District: $5,800,000
• Burns Lake: $3,439,000
• Fraser Lake: $2,607,000
• Fort St James: $3,342,000
• Granisle: $2,353,000
• Houston: $4,486,000
• Smithers: $6,218,000
• Telkwa: $3,590,000
• Vanderhoof: $5,731,000

The grant payments are part of the recently announced $100-million Northern Capital and Planning Grant, which provides funding for infrastructure and long-term planning to four regional districts (Fraser-Fort George, Bulkley-Nechako, Kitimat-Stikine and North Coast) and their 22 participating municipalities.

“We’ve been hearing from local governments in northern B.C. about the challenges they face funding much-needed upgrades to their aging infrastructure, and I know this new grant will help close the gap,” said Selina Robinson, Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing. “With this funding, communities can start moving forward on the initiatives they need to seize opportunities now and down the road.”

Local governments may use the grant to meet an immediate infrastructure need for their community, save it for a future opportunity, or leverage it to secure other sources of funding, including borrowing, reserves and other grant programs, to cover major infrastructure and long-term planning initiatives.

“Our small community is extremely excited with this announcement,” said Linda McGuire, mayor of Granisle. “We are looking forward to the next step of planning, identifying and prioritizing the many projects and upgrades for our community in the coming weeks.”

The release of funds to local governments follows the announcement of the Northern Capital and Planning Grant by Premier John Horgan and Robinson on Feb. 16, 2019.

“The Regional District of Bulkley-Nechako is thankful that the Province of B.C. heard the concerns of regional districts and communities about a need to address infrastructure deficits,” said Gerry Thiessen, chair of the Bulkley-Nechako Regional District board. “This grant will go a long way in addressing some of our concerns that our infrastructure assets are in need of attention.”

The Northern Capital and Planning Grant is part of the Province’s commitment to northern mayors to make sure local workers and communities can reap the full benefits of resource development in their region.

Quotes:

Delores Funk, mayor of Burns Lake –

“The Village of Burns Lake is very grateful to the Province for providing us with the Northern Capital and Infrastructure Grant funding. This injection into our budget will provide an excellent start to addressing the infrastructure deficit in our community and improving the quality of life in the North.”

Sarrah Storey, mayor of Fraser Lake –

“On behalf of the Village of Fraser Lake, I would like to extend my heartfelt thanks to the Province for this funding. The Northern Capital and Planning Grant will improve our community’s capacity to address the infrastructure deficits that are impacting our community.”

Bev Playfair, mayor of Fort St. James –

“This grant will make a huge difference to the District of Fort St James in meeting our infrastructure challenges. We are very appreciative of the Province providing this funding.”

Quick Facts:

• The LNG Canada facility is expected to bring an influx of people into the region. The Northern Capital and Planning Grant will help local governments improve infrastructure and services for the new and existing population.
• The 22 municipalities received a total of $83.7 million and the four regional districts received $16.3 million.
• Small communities received a larger proportional share of the grant to compensate for their reduced commercial and industrial tax base.

A backgrounder follows.