The District of Invermere is receiving $159,600 in BC Rural Dividend funding, B.C.’s Minister of Forests, Lands and Natural Resource Operations Steve Thomson and Parliamentary Secretary Donna Barnett announced today.

The B.C. government is distributing over $8.16 million in new grants to help rural communities diversify and strengthen their economies.

In the first intake of the three-year $75 million BC Rural Dividend, funding is being awarded to 73 local governments, First Nations and not-for-profit organizations around the province for single and partnership projects.

A total of 118 single (up to $100,000) and partnership (up to $500,000) project applications were received in the first intake.

Also making the cut in this round of funding are: St. Mary’s Indian Band Community Enterprises – $100,000; Community Connections Society of Southeast BC – $84,992; and the City of Cranbrook – $20,000.

“The response to the first application intake for projects was overwhelming. The diversity of applications received reflects that the Rural Dividend is applicant driven. Communities have submitted applications that are best suited to the unique needs of their community,” Thomson stated.

“The second project intake window runs to Oct. 31, which will see more communities benefit. One of the benefits of the Rural Dividend is that communities can apply as often as they like,” added Barnett.

The second intake of the BC Rural Dividend is now open and will close at midnight Oct. 31. Application forms can be filled out online and are available at: www.gov.bc.ca/ruraldividend.

Lead image: Construction is well underway on the Columbia Valley Centre in Invermere. Photo by Ruth Fast Steinway/Columbia Valley Centre

e-KNOW

Article Share