Rural communities in B.C. getting up to $66 million for economic diversification

VICTORIA — British Columbia’s new economic diversification program for rural communities is getting a significant increase in funding.

In a news release, the Government of British Columbia announced it was more than doubling funding for the Rural Economic Diversification and Infrastructure Program, up to $66 million this year.

“We welcome the additional funding that the Province of B.C. has confirmed today. Our vision is to responsibly develop our lands in a progressive and sustainable manner, while building a financial legacy and assisting our community in working towards economic sovereignty,” said Kukpi7 Rosanne Casimir, Tk̓emlúps te Secwépemc, in the release.

More than 200 projects have been approved under the program across the province and 26 projects have received the maximum $1 million funding.

Funding can be acquired through three streams: economic diversification, economic capacity or forest impact transition, according to the release.

Projects approved so far can be viewed at https://gov.bc.ca/redip.