Rural Development Grants Boost Tourism and Local Food Production in Northern Vancouver Island

Strategic Insights -

The British Columbia government has announced more than $2.5 million in rural development grants to support Indigenous organizations and local governments in the region, with the goal of boosting tourism and local food production. The grants are part of the StrongerBC Economic Plan, which aims to provide rural communities with the tools they need to adapt and grow.

The funding will support various projects, including the construction of a food-processing facility on Hornby Island, which will create jobs for entrepreneurial food businesses and increase food security for island residents. Other recipients of the grants include Kwakiutl First Nation, Homalco First Nation, and the Village of Cumberland, which will use the funding for economic development, community pier replacement, and water service upgrades respectively.

Ravi Kahlon, Minister of Jobs, Economic Recovery and Innovation, emphasized the importance of supporting rural communities in adapting and growing, while Roly Russell, Parliamentary Secretary for Rural Development, highlighted the need to support locally grown projects that promote community sustainability and resilience.

Key Takeaways:

  • The B.C. government has provided more than $2.5 million in rural development grants to support Indigenous organizations and local governments in northern Vancouver Island.
  • The grants are part of the StrongerBC Economic Plan, which aims to provide rural communities with the tools they need to adapt and grow.
  • The funding will support various projects, including the construction of a food-processing facility on Hornby Island that will create jobs and increase food security for island residents.
  • Other recipients of the grants include Kwakiutl First Nation, Homalco First Nation, and the Village of Cumberland, which will use the funding for economic development, community pier replacement, and water service upgrades respectively.
  • The StrongerBC Economic Plan aims to build resilient communities and tackle the challenges of today while growing an economy that works for everyone.
  • Michele Babchuk, MLA for North Island, stated that the grants will provide much-needed infrastructure upgrades that will add more employment opportunities, increase tourism, and create a better way of life for people in the region.
  • Leslie Baird, mayor of the Village of Cumberland, expressed gratitude for the funding and look forward to future engagement with residents on land-use planning and village-operations facility development.
  • Gary Manzer, president of the Hornby Island Farmland Trust Society, thanked the government for the funding and highlighted the importance of the food-processing facility in achieving local food security on the remote island.

Statistics:

  • Total funding: more than $2.5 million
  • Funding for Hornby Island Farmland Trust Society: $625,000
  • Funding for Kwakiutl First Nation: almost $440,000
  • Funding for Homalco First Nation: almost $1 million
  • Funding for Village of Cumberland: more than $480,000
  • Total number of recipients: 4

Sources:

  • Government of Canada regional news
  • StrongerBC Economic Plan: https://strongerbc.gov.bc.ca/plan