Jobs to be created for rural northern B.C. projects among $20M grant distribution

Several northern B.C. communities are set to receive some financial help in an effort to create and expand job opportunities.

Amid COVID-19, the ministry representing Rural Development is distributing $20 million in grants to rural projects across the province, aimed to boost residents’ livelihoods during unprecedented times.

Dubbed as Rural Economic Recovery (RER) program grants, this includes projects near Prince George and its surrounding areas as the funds may help build on the future economic growth with the pandemic causing strains.

“Our government is connecting communities with the resources they need to create jobs and new economic opportunities,” said Forests, Lands, Natural Resource Operations and Rural Development Minister Katrine Conroy in a statement today (Feb. 23). 

“This has been a challenging year for British Columbians, and the remoteness of some rural communities can mean additional challenges. These grants will have a positive impact as communities manage through COVID-19 and beyond.”

The approved funding for projects in northern B.C.’s region, or within travel proximity to Prince George, are as follows:

• Regional District of Fraser-Fort George (RDFFG)
  • Pine Pass Adventure Centre - Highway 97 Pine Pass
    • $1 million
    • New facility at mountain’s base to allow expansion of shoulder and summer season activities

• McBride
  • Fraser Headwaters Alliance, Historic Goat River Trail Upgrade
    • $202,924
    • Construct elevated supports for cable car operation to ease hiker crossing and reroute trail’s western portion
  • Dunster Community Forest Society, Inventory Storage
    • $88,000
    • Expand woodworking building to air dry lumber, store finished materials and increase production abilities

• Murray Ridge Ski Area (Fort St. James)
  • Fort St. James Ski Club, Murray Ridge Ski Area Revitalization Project
    • $605,360
    • Expansion for year-round tourism by resurfacing lift, rehabilitating t-bar and building two new mountain-bike trails

• Burns Lake
  • Burns Lake Native Development Corporation, Burns Lake Native Development Corporation Forestry Operations Expansion Initiative
    • $779,433
    • Increase capacity through new band-owned forestry business facility for repair, maintenance and training

• Quesnel
  • Gold Rush Cycling Club, Wonderland Trail Network Expansion
    • $87,520
    • Expansion of trail network

• Williams Lake
  • Williams Lake Cycling Club, Williams Lake Mountain Bike Trail Upgrade Project
    • $253,085
    • Construct machine-built downhill mountain bike trail and improve uphill route on Fox Mountain trail network

The above projects are some of the 38 rural projects receiving funds from the province, which is also part of its $10-billion COVID-19 response.

For more information, you can visit the B.C. government’s website.