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Government of Canada Invests More than $1.9 Million in Final Projects for B.C. Communities Affected by Softwood Dispute
The Honourable Stephen Owen, Minister of Western Economic Diversification and Minister of State (Sport) today announced more than $1.9 million for the four final projects under the Softwood Industry Community Economic Adjustment Initiative. This funding will leverage more than $3.3 million in new investments in British Columbia communities.
"With these final four projects underway, we have now invested over $50 million that in turn has attracted an additional $97 million in private and public partnership funding," said Minister Owen. "We are already seeing tangible results throughout B.C. as many of the projects near completion. Communities are creating jobs and diversifying their economies by producing value-added wood products, enhancing their tourism capacity, and expanding into new industries."
"These final projects will have significant benefits to communities hard-hit by softwood duties," said Colin Kinsley, Mayor of Prince George and Chair of the Minister's Advisory Group for the Softwood Industry Community Economic Adjustment Initiative. "These communities are seizing local opportunities to ensure their economic future."
"Our communities need to retain the connection to their forests and the forestry industry, but must find new directions to aid in their economic recovery," said Ken White, Chair of the Community Futures Development Association of B.C. "These final projects are shining examples of the Government of Canada's commitment to support community driven solutions towards long-term economic sustainability."
The Government of Canada's $50-million contribution under the program will leverage an additional $97 million from other sources, bringing the total investment in B.C. to $147 million. Over 2,500 jobs will be created or maintained in more than 140 B.C. communities.
The $110-million Softwood Industry Community Economic Adjustment Initiative is a national program designed to address the adjustment and transition needs of forest-dependent communities across Canada . The deadline for applications was June 2, 2003. All approved projects must be fully completed and funds expended by March 31, 2005.
Western Economic Diversification Canada administers the Softwood Industry Community Economic Adjustment Initiative in partnership with the Community Futures Development Corporations of B.C.
Western Economic Diversification Canada is the federal department mandated to support economic diversification in communities across Western Canada through activities that promote and assist Innovation, Entrepreneurship, and Sustainable Communities.
Project funding is conditional on confirmed partnership funding and a positive federal environmental assessment. Funding for these projects was provided for in the March 2004 federal budget.
For additional information, contact:
Susan Schooley
Manager, Communications
Western Economic Diversification Canada
Vancouver, BC
Tel: (604) 666-1318
Renée Gillen
Press Secretary
Office of the Minister of
Western Economic Diversification and Minister of State (Sport)
Ottawa, ON
(613) 954-1110
WD Toll-Free Number:1-888-338-WEST (9378)
Teletypewriter (TTY): 1-877-303-3388
WD Website: www.wd-deo.gc.ca.
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Backgrounder
Softwood Industry Community
Economic Adjustment Initiative
Project Backgrounders
Kootenay Region
The Village of Midway – Midway
- The Village of Midway will receive $158,000 to develop a fully serviced Aviation Industrial and Business Park where light aircraft owners can have their aircraft serviced. There are also significant business opportunities for the community through leasing aircraft hangars to the private sector and through a partnership aviation apprenticeship program supporting youth employment. The total cost of the project is $692,062.
- This project will provide many related benefits, including increased tourism for the region as Midway offers a favorable climate for safe flying well into the "shoulder seasons." This project will generate new jobs and serve as a catalyst for core business around which new business opportunities can develop.
Contact:
David Arsenault (250) 442-2722
Community Futures Development Corporation of Boundary Area
Thompson Country Region
Nexbuild Manufacturing Ltd. – Kamloops
- Nexbuild Manufacturing Ltd. will receive $550,000 to establish a ready-to-assemble housing manufacturing plant. The plant will be built on leased, reserved land within an established industrial park owned and operated by the North Thompson Indian Band. The total project cost is $1,315,000.
- The ready-to-assemble housing market is expanding rapidly. At full operations, the manufacturing plant will create about 40 new jobs and act as a catalyst for future economic growth for First Nations in this region. This project involves a joint venture between the private sector and 17 bands, which is one of the largest First Nations groups in B.C. in terms of traditional land base and population.
Contact:
Phil A. Lindsay (250) 828-8772
Community Futures Development Corporation of Thompson Country
Northeast Region
Central British Columbia Railway and Forestry Industry Museum Society – Prince George
- The Central British Columbia Railway and Forestry Industry Museum Society will receive $246,220 to build the Cottonwood Island Express, a miniature passenger rail circling the eight-acre Railway and Forestry Museum Park in Prince George. This tourist attraction also includes a diesel locomotive, steam locomotive and a forestry exhibit along the track bed. The total project cost is $843,609.
- The mini railway will expand the exhibit and provide access to the eight- acre park currently unavailable for unescorted tours. This project will allow the Museum to attract more families to the park. It will also raise awareness of the Museum, provide an educational opportunity and increase visits by locals and tourists.
Contact:
Don Zurowski (250) 562-9622
Community Futures Development Corporation of Fraser Fort George
Northwest Region
The Prince Rupert Port Authority – Prince Rupert
- The Port of Prince Rupert will receive $1,000,000 to complete a planning and engineering study that will detail the scope of upgrades required to introduce container-handling capabilities at the existing terminal. The total project cost is $2,000,000.
- Prince Rupert has a significant opportunity to develop container cargo traffic on the North Coast and realize considerable economic benefits. Prince Rupert's location as the shortest land-sea route between Asia and the U.S. industrial heartland makes the port a strategically significant trans-continental trade route in the movement of containers.
Contact:
Maynard Angus (250) 622-2332
Community Futures Development Corporation of Pacific Northwest
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