B.C. invests $33 million into northern rural infrastructure

VICTORIA – The Province of British Columbia is providing funding to First Nations, local governments, not-for-profits and manufacturing businesses to strengthen northern B.C. infrastructure.

The province is contributing as much as $33 million across rural areas of the province for the second intake of the Rural Economic Diversification and Infrastructure Program (REDIP), a release said.

Communities in northern B.C. will receive as much as $13.3 million in REDIP funding for 42 approved projects.

This is the second REDIP intake and additional funding for as much as $33 million is available in the upcoming third intake of REDIP, with applications expected to open in July and remain open until the end of October, the release said.

B.C. is also contributing up to $1.2 million through the BC Manufacturing Jobs Fund toward four projects in northern B.C.

These projects include:

• Houston – DH Manufacturing Inc., a secondary wood-product manufacturer specializing in finger joint lumber, dunnage, strips and lathe products is receiving as much as $480,000 to support installation of a new finger jointer.
• 94 Mile House – Tsi Del Del Development Corporation, which is 100 per cent owned and operated by the Tŝideldel First Nation, is receiving as much as $422,000 to purchase equipment for the creation of a sort yard for biomass aimed at centralizing the processing of wood waste.
• Prince George – Prolenc Manufacturing Inc., a metal-manufacturing business specializing in machine brake links and drill heads for the logging and mining industries is receiving as much as $254,000 to purchase and install new machinery that will enhance its manufacturing capabilities and increase efficiency to meet current demand, while creating two new jobs and upskilling 12 existing positions.
• Williams Lake – Grosso Precast Ltd. manufactures civil precast concrete products and is receiving as much as $50,000 to conduct project planning for a capital project that aims to double its production, improve efficiency and add new high-value products.

A list of the approved intake two projects is here.