Northern First Nations, governments, and not-for-profits will share in 5.3 million dollars in fresh provincial funding.
That funding will be spread across 35 projects awarded funding under the BC Rural Dividend Program.
Rural Dividend grants help support projects which support economic development and diversification in rural communities.
Grants were awarded in amounts between 100 thousand dollars for single applicants and 500 thousand for group applicants.
Northern projects receiving the most funding include: the Kitasoo Indian Band with 500 thousand for hydropower upgrades, 337 thousand for the Gitxaala to create a community restaurant, 499 thousand for the Dease River First Nation to develop a sustainable forest tenure, and 472 thousand to the Gitxsan Development Corp for assessments to develop a South Hazelton industrial complex.
In total, more than 19 million dollars was handed out to 153 applicants province-wide.
BC Rural Dividend funded projects for North and Central Coast
* Gitxaala First Nation in Kitkatla is being awarded $337,800 to help create a community restaurant/eatery in the Village of Lach Klan. It will also offer local workers on-the-job training under a Red Seal chef.
* The Kitasoo Indian Band in Klemtu is being awarded $500,000 for upgrades to the Baron Lake Hydropower facility to allow for greater power output from the original 600 kilowatt hydro plant, reduce diesel dependency and support population growth and economic opportunities.
* Nuxalk Nation in Bella Coola is being awarded $100,000 for Phase 1 of a project that will lead to a large-scale commercial agricultural business that uses hydroponic technology to grow vegetables for the Bella Coola Valley, year-round.
* Skidegate Band Council is being awarded $72,000 to complete a feasibility study for the widespread adoption of solar photovoltaic technologies in Skidegate. The study includes an assessment of battery storage solutions to reduce diesel power dependency.
* Wuikinuxv Nation in Oweekeeno is being awarded $97,938 to support implementation of a comprehensive community energy management system to reduce the cost of electricity in off-grid Wuikinuxv Village.
BC Rural Dividend project awards for the North
* The Corporation of the Village of Burns Lake is being awarded $100,000 to develop a community brand and marketing strategy. The project builds on an economic diversification project from a previous Rural Dividend intake and includes installing murals and wooden signs to attract visitors.
* The Cheslatta Carrier Nation is being awarded $100,000 to develop a long-term, strategic community land-use plan. The project will consist of four phases and will include land-use designations, identifying policies to guide future land use and development, and community engagement.
* The District of Houston is being awarded $100,000 for We’re Here! Marking Houston’s Place in B.C. This project includes designing and installing signs to draw tourists and residents alike to key locations, features and attractions in the district.
* Houston Link to Learning Society is being awarded $65,283 to develop a community computer lab. The project will provide courses and various workshops on life skills, education and career planning to help participants move towards employment and further education.
* The Innovation Central Society is being awarded $93,888 for the Northern Investment Group. The project will develop a matchmaking service between new companies and local venture capitalists with a focus on financing, and new and existing businesses operating in northern B.C.
* Nak’azdli Whut’en is being awarded $452,416 to complete design and technical and engineering documents, as well as develop a growing strategy for the Mount Pope year-round greenhouse. The project will create jobs and provide fresh vegetables and fruits to communities in northern B.C.
* Stuart Lake Nordic Society is being awarded $71,656 to remediate recreation trails at the Murray Ridge Ski Area in Fort St. James. The project expands the scope of a previous project and will restore the ski trails, making them safe for residents and visitors.
* The District of Vanderhoof is being awarded $52,000 to complete preliminary design work for a new Vanderhoof visitor centre. The project includes site assessments, schematic designs, cost estimates and tender documents.
* Wet’suwt’en First Nation is being awarded $72,500 to develop a tourism strategy to create jobs in the community. The project will create a SWOT (strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, threats) analysis to help identify key opportunities for developing a First Nation tourism industry.
* The Yinka Dene Economic Development Limited Partnership is being awarded $100,000 to train and certify a community-based workforce to install, operate and maintain solar panels. The project includes installing solar panels at the Wet’suwet’en Community Building.
BC Rural Dividend project awards for northwest B.C.
* Dease River First Nation is being awarded $499,000 to develop a sustainable forest tenure and a First Nations Woodland Licence. The project will support the Dease River Development Corp. to create jobs, boost economic capacity and promote forest stewardship in the region.
* The Gitxsan Development Corporation is being awarded $472,894 to prepare engineering and geotechnical assessments to develop an industrial complex in south Hazelton. The project includes a bio-coal pellet plant and heavy-equipment training for residents.
* The Regional District of Kitimat-Stikine is being awarded $175,900 for a resident and workforce attraction initiative that builds on an earlier Rural Dividend project. The initiative uses a phased approach, including market research and stakeholder engagement.
* Kitselas First Nation is being awarded $97,200 to update its land-use plan to meet the community’s vision for land use. The project will also develop a streamlined, legal process to accept and review development applications for Kitselas Reserve Lands.
* Kitsumkalum First Nation is being awarded $54,720 to develop a Laxyuup Renewable Energy Portfolio Strategy. The strategy provides a framework to review current and future renewable energy project opportunities to ensure they provide economic benefits for the community.
* Misty Rivers Community Arts Council is being awarded $97,050 to establish a multifunctional public arts facility in the Village of Hazelton.
* Nisga’a Village of Gitwinksihlkw is being awarded $432,000 to implement Phase 1 of the Saasak’ Hills off-road bike and hiking trail system. The project includes a two-year design-build plan, reclaiming old trap lines and foraging routes, and completing Lookout Trail.
* The District of Stewart is being awarded $80,000 to create accessible backcountry trails along Highway 37A. The project includes identifying and mapping existing trails and access points, and adding highway signs, pullout areas and parking to mark the trail heads.
* Witset First Nation is being awarded $92,700 to complete Phase 1 of the Widzin Kwah Canyon Development Plan. The project includes a feasibility study, business plan and schematic designs for a cultural visitors’ centre at the canyon pullout on Highway 16.
