Receipt of $100,000 in grant funding from the Province of British Columbia through the Rural Economic Diversification and Infrastructure Program (REDIP) will support wages for a full-time economic development coordinator over the next two years to help qathet Regional District (qRD) build internal capacity for economic development.
Economic Development continues to be an area of focus, according to a media release from the regional district, with specific exploration of areas developing regional and subregional strategic opportunities for economic development, promoting and marketing the region’s competitive advantage, and ensuring opportunity readiness as well as the possibility of co-creation and co-management partnership opportunities with neighbouring First Nation governments.
“These types of projects are complex and multifaceted, and require a considerable amount of staff time to get off the ground,” stated qRD chief administrative officer Al Radke. “A full-time contractor dedicated to supporting these initiatives ensures staff time will be devoted to advancing our regional economic development goals, free from distraction from competing work tasks.”
The REDIP grant will provide 100 per cent funding towards eligible salary costs up to a maximum funding contribution of $100,000.
“With the Catalyst Paper Tis'kwat mill shutdown, there is no question that we must work together with community members, partners and neighbouring First Nation governments to diversify our local economy and remain resilient,” stated qRD board chair Clay Brander. “We are thrilled to have a dedicated staff person to help the qRD produce a road map to shared economic sustainability in our region.”
The Provincial Ministry of Jobs, Economic Development and Innovation introduced the REDIP program to support projects that promote economic diversification, community resilience, clean growth opportunities, and infrastructure development. For more information on this program, go to the Province of BC website.
Four other projects in the qathet region will also receive funding.
