VANCOUVER ISLAND/GULF ISLANDS – Projects throughout Vancouver Island and the Gulf Islands will receive almost $130,000 in funding under the province’s Rural Dividend Grant Program.
The grants are part of the province’s rural development mandate. Nearly $700,000 in project development grants were approved province-wide for eligible local governments, First Nations, and not-for-profit organizations. The grants are intended to help rural communities stabilize their economies and create long-term local employment.
Successful projects demonstrated economic diversification, innovation, sustainability and collaboration, and support the specific needs of individual communities. Assessed criteria were:
- Rural communities most in need;
- Improved community resiliency and economic strength;
- Partnership building and enhanced shared prosperity;
- Project feasibility and sustainability;
- Economic impact on rural communities;
- Attracting and retaining youth; and
- Innovation in economic development.
Listed by region, the following 13 projects were approved for funding.
These three projects in the north Island will each receive $10,000:
- BC Marine Trails Network Association is to create a planning framework for a marine trail system that connects the communities of Campbell River, Sayward and Lund;
- Cortes Island Seniors Society is to complete a preliminary business case regarding creation of a new affordable seniors’ housing neighbourhood in Manson’s Landing; and
- Village of Gold River is to create a strategic plan for tourism infrastructure and to stimulate tourism sector business opportunities.
For the mid-island area, the govnerment allocated almost $60,000 to support six projects. Recipients and projects were:
- Snaw-naw-as (Nanoose) First Nation receives $10,000 to increase the workforce capacity of the Nation, including training, workshops, and one-on-one support and mentoring by management;
- Saa’men GP Ltd (Qualicum First Nation) receives $10,000 to produce a five-year economic development strategic plan that builds on projects of interest that have been identified through previous community engagement;
- District of Ucluelet receives $10,000 to develop a feasibility study that looks at potential uses and community partnership for the Amphitrite Point lands, including a basic budget and timelines;
- Cumberland Lake Wilderness Society was granted $7,550 for a program feasibility study to develop outdoor recreation programming that will increase visits to the Cumberland Lake Park Campground;
- Hornby Island Farmland Trust Society was awarded $10,000 to hire a project manager who will develop a strategic plan and feasibility study for full use of all eight acres of Hornby Island Community Garden Project land; and
- K’omoks Economic Development Corporation is receiving $10,000 to develop a business case for planning and installation of an independent renewable power microgrid on K’ómoks First Nation traditional territory.
In the Cowichan/southern Gulf Islands, four organizations were selected to share $39,136 in funding. The successful applicants were:
- The Capital Regional District will receive $9,869 for a feasibility study to research the potential for shared business services to support Salt Spring Island crafts, artisans, and lifestyle and non-perishable product producers in growing their operations;
- The Community Futures Development Corporation – Cowichan Region is being awarded $9,325 to complete a feasibility study for the Duncan Highway Corridor Business Association;
- The Thetis Island Community Association is being awarded $10,000 for a feasibility study to determine the viability of upgrading and expanding the Thetis Island Community Centre; and
- The Gabriola Arts Council was awarded $9,942 for a feasibility study to determine the best way for residents to collaborate to build a successful local arts community.