B.C. helps strengthen Cariboo-Chilcotin Rural Economy

Courtesy of the Government of BC:

Editor's Note -- congratulations to successful applicants in the Cariboo-Chilcotin Region as follows:

1) City of Quesnel | Infrastructure Planning to Encourage Development | $500,000.00 | Forest Impact Transition 

2) Tŝideldel First Nation | Tŝideldel Gravel and Aggregates | $500,000.00 | Forest Impact Transition 

3) Nazko First Nation | Nazko Economic Diversification – Indigenous Tourism Comprehensive Planning | $81,700.00 | Forest Impact Transition 

4) Yunesit'in Government | Yunesit'in Economic General Manager | $100,000.00 | Economic Capacity 

5) Xeni Gwet'in First Nation Government | Nemiah Valley Lodge Meeting Facility | $1,000,000.00 | Economic Diversification 

6) Williams Lake First Nation | WLFN Craft Cannabis Processing Initiative | $400,450.00 | Forest Impact Transition 

7) Tl'etinqox Government | Anaham Flats Agriculture Upgrading Project | $500,000.00 | Forest Impact Transition 

8) ?Esdilagh First Nation | Esdilagh Economic Capacity Development | $100,000.00 | Economic Capacity 

 9) Community Futures Development Corporation of Cariboo Chilcotin | Planning a Successful Succession (PASS) | $168,560.00 | Economic Diversification 

10) Tsilhqotin National Government | Entrepreneurship Coordinator | $100,000.00 | Economic Capacity 

11) Cariboo Regional District | Anahim Lake Airport Terminal Building Expansion | $530,765.00 | Economic Diversification 

12) Stswecem'c Xgat'tem First Nation | SXFN Sustainable Wood Products | $496,600.00 | Forest Impact Transition 

13) Tŝideldel Limited Partnership | Tsideldel Community Service Centre | $1,000,000.00 | Economic Diversification 

14) City of Williams Lake | Williams Lake Regional Airport Utility Master Plan | $125,000.00 | Forest Impact Transition 

 15) Sprout Kitchen Society - Quesnel | Sprout Kitchen Marketing and Outreach strategies for development of the Distribution Service and Food Hub | $21,625.00 | Economic Diversification

Local governments, First Nations and not-for-profit organizations can further strengthen their communities with twice the funding for B.C.’s newest economic diversification program, which has now approved more than 200 projects provincewide.

“Communities throughout B.C. have unique needs when it comes to the well-being of their residents and their economies” said the Hon. Brenda Bailey, BC's Minister of Jobs, Economic Development and Innovation. “That’s why we’re increasing our support for rural B.C., working side by side with local governments and First Nations to launch rural economic development projects that will provide good, sustainable jobs that allow people to stay in the communities they love.”

The Government of B.C is investing double the funding, up to $66 million, this year for the Rural Economic Diversification and Infrastructure Program (REDIP). This promotes economic diversification, clean-economy opportunities and infrastructure development in rural B.C.

“Community leaders across B.C. are passionate about their communities, with exciting visions for building thriving and sustainable economies, today and for generations to come,” said Roly Russell, Parliamentary Secretary for Rural Development. “It's inspiring to see the diversity of community-led and place-based projects supported with REDIP that will help create exciting future economic opportunities. The doubling of this investment in rural communities means more of these projects can get in motion, and sooner, to better support rural economies across the province.”

The program opened on Nov. 15, 2022, and now hundreds of projects from the program’s first intake are approved and moving forward, with a second intake opening this year.

Cmmunities received the maximum $1-million project funding. A full list of approved projects is available at: https://gov.bc.ca/redip

Building resilient economies is part of the Province’s work through the StrongerBC Economic Plan to build a strong and sustainable economy through clean and inclusive growth.

Quick Facts:

• Communities can receive REDIP funding through three streams:
  • Economic diversification – Projects that plan or implement programs, services and infrastructure to support economic development and diversification in communities with populations of 25,000 or less (maximum funding: $1 million).
  • Economic capacity – Projects that build local capacity and improve the ability to support economic development and diversification in communities with populations of 2,500 or fewer, with maximum funding of $100,000.
  • Forest impact transition – Projects that support economic recovery and diversification in affected forest-dependent communities, with maximum funding of $500,000.

Learn More:

For more information about the Rural Economic Diversification and Infrastructure Program, visit: https://gov.bc.ca/redip

For more information about the StrongerBC Economic Plan, visit: https://strongerbc.gov.bc.ca/plan