Communities in northern B.C. are getting another round of funding from the the Northern Healthy Communities Fund.
About $4 million from the fund will go toward supporting projects in the north.
The $3.8-million investment from the NHCF supports 17 projects, including an upgraded wastewater treatment facility in the Village of Fraser Lake to improve service through the winter months.
"This funding supports the critically important upgrade of our wastewater-aeration system in Fraser Lake and will ensure positive environmental outcomes that will benefit our residents and businesses for years to come," said Mayor Sarrah Storey of Fraser Lake.
"Projects like this are vital to our community's plan for balanced growth and development. We are extremely thankful to the province for this funding."
The Northern Healthy Communities Fund is intended to support local governments, First Nations and non-profit organizations to invest in their communities' health, safety and culture.
"These investments in services will ensure that people benefit from the rapid economic growth in the North,” said Anne Kang, Minister of Municipal Affairs.
Other projects include increased availability of clinical counselling services for mental-health and addiction in Chetwynd and surrounding communities; increased anti-violence programming in the Peace region, through the South Peace Community Resources Society; the hiring of new employees to provide services to newly landed immigrants in northeastern B.C; and a new residential treatment facility in Fort St. John.
"These investments will ensure the services people rely on keep pace with the rapid economic growth we are seeing in northern B.C.," said Nathan Cullen, MLA for Stikine.
Eligible local governments, First Nations and non-profit organizations in growing communities near the LNG Canada and Coastal GasLink projects can apply for project funding.
The program is accepting applications for the next funding intakes. New projects will be announced quarterly until 2026.
