VANCOUVER — B.C. officials are topping up the Mass Timber Demonstration Program with an additional $2 million investment for a second intake.
The funding will support the advancement of mass timber projects. To announce the funding, government officials toured the new head office of structural engineering firm Fast + Epp. The hybrid mass timber building located near downtown Vancouver is among the first office buildings in the city to use mass timber as structural material.
“Innovation is key to helping the province move forward with a strong economic recovery that will benefit people, communities and businesses throughout B.C.,” said Ravi Kahlon, minister of jobs, in a statement. “Mass timber is our triple-word score. By investing in mass timber through the demonstration program, we are advancing the construction of climate-smart buildings that are built with a renewable and sustainable product. This work gets us one step closer to building a more inclusive, resilient and innovative B.C. economy that works for everyone.”
The $2 million investment will support eligible applicants with incremental or one-time costs associated with design development, permitting and construction activities in mass timber building construction. Individual projects can receive up to $500,000.
The second intake follows a successful first intake that contributed $4.2 million to support eight mass timber demonstration projects and four research projects in B.C.
As part of the program, successful developers will share lessons learned and results to help support future mass timber projects in the province.
“B.C. is well positioned to be a world leader in design and construction innovations that can elevate our economy and positively support our environment,” said Paul Fast, founder of Fast + Epp and a member of the Mass Timber Advisory Council. “By funding projects like these, government is helping advance mass timber construction and adding value to our provincially harvested forest products.”
The program is delivered by Forestry Innovation Investment on behalf of the province. Expressions of interest will be accepted between July 16 and Oct. 8. Successful applicants will be notified by December 2021.
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