Sixty non-profit organizations in 44 British Columbia communities have received funding support from EventHostBC, including Cranbrook, Fernie, Kimberley and Sparwood.

This Government of B.C. initiative was designed to encourage and support small-scale, volunteer-driven events that build community spirit, volunteer capacity and promote out-of-town visitation.

Within a total funding allocation of $250,000, grants up to $5,000 per event have now been awarded on a first-come, first-served basis to eligible organizations. Almost $42,000 has been distributed to each of the six tourism regions: Kootenay-Rockies, Cariboo-Chilcotin-Coast, Northern B.C., Thompson-Okanagan, Vancouver Island and Vancouver-Coast-Mountains.

More than 400 applications were received, representing a wide variety of community-based activities including sporting events, festivals, theatrical and musical productions, celebrations of holidays, local landmarks, anniversary milestones, and events to raise awareness of specific causes.

“Hosting events not only builds community pride and volunteerism, they are also good business for our province. Events attract visitors, bring important dollars into area businesses and create jobs. They also provide training for volunteers, create social and economic legacies and diversify economies. This return on investment, matched with B.C.’s long history of successful hosting and world-class amenities, makes event hosting an ideal way to boost tourism and economic development in the province,” stated Minister of Community, Sport and Cultural Development and Minister Responsible for TransLink Peter Fassbender.

EventHostBC was launched on May 8, in support of the Sport, Arts and Culture Provincial Hosting Program. EventHostBC was a one-time funding opportunity ($250,000) offered to encourage the development of volunteer capacity for event hosting within B.C. communities.

Regional organizations receiving funds:

Cranbrook & District Arts Council – for Cranbrook Welcomes Ethan Russell International art exhibition, Cranbrook, Oct 8 – $5,000;

Sam Steele Society, for 2016 Sam Steele Days Community Festival, Cranbrook June 16/2016 – $5,000;

Fernie Trails Alliance, for Roll and Sole Bike Festival (pictured above), Fernie June 27 – $1,883;

Fernie Mountain Bike Club, Wam Bam Dirt Jump Jam, Fernie August 28 – $4,000;

Fernie Nordic Society, Fernie Kootenay Cup Race – part of the Teck Kootenay Cup series. Exact dates in Jan/16 TBD Fernie – $3,400;

Kimberley Arts Council, Kimberley First Saturday Oktoberfest, Kimberley Oct 3 – $5,000;

Kimberley Nordic Club, Kimberley Kootenay Cup, two- day crosscountry skiing event, Kimberley Feb. 13/16 – $1,206.67;

Kimberley Gymnastics Society, Kimberley Gymnastics Coconut Cup, Kimberley, May 28/16 – $5,000;

Sparwood and District Chamber of Commerce, Sparwood Birthday party, Sparwood May 21/2016 – $4,177;

For a complete list of all successful EventHostBC applicants, visit: http://ow.ly/Rp8lo

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