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Tourism in Fernie receives $349,799
Fernie will receive $349,799 from the B.C. government to support tourism infrastructure and amenities, Kootenay East MLA Bill Bennett announced today.
“This money will help Fernie expand its tourism sector and continue to enhance and expand the tourism sector in the East Kootenay,” Bennett said May 13.
The funding comes from the Resort Municipality Initiative program, which helps grow the tourism sector in 14 eligible municipalities.
“The Resort Municipality Initiative is vital to our growing tourism economy and we feel very fortunate that the Province continues to support this program. With the RMI funding, Fernie is able to enhance our Festival and Event Development program, and continue to acquire event infrastructure to create new opportunities, giving visitors another reason to come experience our beautiful community,” Mary Giuliano, City of Fernie Mayor said.
Fernie has received a total of $2,454,207 from the RMI program since 2009. Funded projects will include trail maintenance and development, tourism events and festivals, Fernie museum and info centre improvements, and tourism signage.
This year, the B.C. government is providing $10.5 million shared among British Columbia’s 14 resort-oriented municipalities.
B.C.’s tourism sector is one of the eight key sectors identified in the B.C. Jobs Plan, creating more than 125,000 jobs and over $13.5 billion in revenues across the province. Since RMI inception in 2007, over $87.6 million has been invested in tourism infrastructure and programs to support local and regional tourism economies in the 14 participating communities.
This is the eighth year the RMI program has been in operation, with more than $87.6 million directed to resort communities since 2006. RMI is a program that addresses the unique circumstances of resort-oriented municipalities. Some examples of RMI initiatives funded throughout the 14 municipalities include trail maintenance, public art, visitor centre enhancements, shuttle services and visitor sign improvements.
The 14 communities that participate in the RMI initiative are Fernie, Golden, Harrison Hot Springs, Invermere, Kimberley, Osoyoos, Radium Hot Springs, Revelstoke, Rossland, Sun Peaks, Tofino, Ucluelet, Valemount and Whistler.
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