For Release
August 17, 2005

Government of Canada Invests in Economic Opportunities in Rural B.C. Communities

Vancouver, B.C. — Rural B.C. communities face a brighter future with sustainable economic growth thanks to $962,000 in funding from Western Economic Diversification Canada. The announcement was made today by the Honourable Stephen Owen, Minister of Western Economic Diversification and Minister of State (Sport).

Working primarily through its network of Community Futures Development Corporations, Western Economic Diversification Canada’s investment means 35 communities across B.C. will benefit from 31 projects.

Highlights include: $100,000 to develop regional economic plans in the Central Interior; $42,000 to develop and install communications tools to attract visitors, new residents and new investments to Gibsons; and $ 35,571 to support entrepreneurial training for women in Grand Forks . A backgrounder listing all the projects and detailed summaries is attached.

“Our Community Futures partners have taken a strong leadership role, working directly with their communities to determine how to attract new business and economic opportunities. That is the reason, through Budget 2005, we are investing an additional $18.2 million in western Canada’s CFDCs,” said Minister Owen. “While I am in northern B.C., I look forward to meeting with people and seeing what local residents are doing to build stronger communities and diversify their economies.”

The Minister will be visiting Fort St. John and Dawson Creek on August 18, 2005 to meet with community leaders, and will attend the official opening of the newly expanded Peace Island Park in Taylor.

On August 19, Minister Owen will be in Prince George to make an announcement of interest to communities throughout northern British Columbia.

“The partnership between Community Futures Development Corporations in B.C. and Western Economic Diversification Canada enables us to foster local opportunities in entrepreneurship and sustainable development,” said Ken White, Chair of the Community Futures Development Association of B.C.

Community Futures Development Corporations advance local entrepreneurship, as well as promote, coordinate and implement a variety of community economic development initiatives for their respective communities. They offer a variety of entrepreneurial programs, access to financing for people interested in expanding or starting their own business, and support for community sustainability and capacity building.

Budget 2005 included $18.2 million over five years for Western Economic Diversification Canada to increase its contribution to Community Futures Development Corporations throughout Western Canada.

Western Economic Diversification Canada is the federal department mandated to support economic diversification in communities across Western Canada, through activities that promote and assist Sustainable Communities, Innovation and Entrepreneurship. Funding for these projects was provided for in Budget 2005.

For additional information, contact:

Backgrounder

Government of Canada Invests in Economic Opportunities in Rural B.C. Communities

Western Economic Diversification Canada has invested $961,929 toward 31 projects in 35 communities across B.C., primarily through its network of Community Futures Development Corporations.

To contact the Community Futures Development Corporation in your area, call 1-866-685-2332.

Province-wide

Leadership Training Program in British Columbia – $70,000

The "Leadership B.C." initiative involves the training and development of community leaders in rural communities across B.C, using a curriculum customized to each location. The first pilot project was launched in Nanaimo on June 8, 2005, with other communities to follow. The B.C. Chamber of Commerce, in partnership with the Community Futures Association of B.C., leads the initiative.

Kootenays

Western Economic Diversification Canada has invested $119,521 toward six projects in five communities in this region.

Kimberley
Business Vitality Initiative – $18,000

The Community Futures Development Corporation of the S.E. Region of B.C. will help the City of Kimberley to use the Business Vitality Index to assess its current business environment, opportunities and challenges. Included is the proposal to develop an action plan to improve conditions for entrepreneurial success.

Radium Hot Springs
Community Broadband Feasibility Study – $23,950

Working with the village of Radium Hot Springs, the Community Futures Development Corporation of the S.E. Region of B.C. is assisting the village as it examines the establishment of a community broadband network. It has produced a study, suggesting a network would be feasible and sustainable.

Cranbrook
Capacity Building for Non-Profits – $13,000

Building on the “Profiting Non-Profits” workshop held in November, the Community Futures Development Corporation of the S.E. Region of B.C. has established a Social Enterprise resource guide. The guide, available at http://www.keytoyourfuture.net/, and the event are helping to build awareness and education around the principles of social enterprise.

Grand Forks
Entrepreneurial Training for Women – $35,571

The Community Futures Development Corporation of Boundary Area will deliver entrepreneurial business training and support to low-income women with children. This will enable them to start their own businesses, which will stimulate and provide a model for positive business practices in the region.

Nelson
Economic Development Partnership for the Nelson Region – $15,000

The Community Future Development Corporation of Central Kootenay, the City of Nelson and the Nelson and Area Chamber of Commerce are working together on a shared approach to economic development. They have established a Partnership Coordinating Committee and an Economic Development Committee to provide leadership and promote community planning and strategy for Nelson and the surrounding area.

Personal Information Protection Procedures – $14,000

The Community Futures Development Corporation of Central Kootenay will review where the Personal Information Protection Act applies to Community Futures. It will research existing privacy policies adopted by financial institutions or other non-profit groups, and develop guidelines and procedures .

The purpose of the Personal Information Protection Act is to govern the means by which private sector organizations handle personal information in a manner that recognizes both the right of an individual to have his or her personal information protected, and the need of organizations to collect, use, or disclose personal information for purposes that are reasonable.

Lower Mainland Fraser Valley

Western Economic Diversification Canada has invested $249,513 toward seven projects in five communities in this region.

Powell River
Powell River Harbour Development Study – $100,000

To assist the development of the Powell River Harbour, the Community Futures Development Corporation of Powell River is working with the Powell River Waterfront Development Corporation, the corporation of the district of Powell River (the city) and the Powell River Regional Economic Development Society. It has completed a study examining the planning and engineering work required to carry out the development of the Powell River Harbour. The development will lead to long-term commercial and tourism benefits for the community.

Business Planning for Powell River Community Forest – $17,000

This project will enable the community to make an effective submission to the B.C. Ministry of Forests for a community forest license agreement.

Gibsons
Communications Tools for Gibsons Tourism and Investment Attraction – $42,500

The Community Futures Development Corporation of the Sunshine Coast is coordinating this project, which involves developing and installing communications tools to attract visitors, new residents and new investments to Gibsons. Tools will include highway maps, Web site enhancements, and a promotional video.

Business Plan for the Gibsons Botanical Gardens – $23,700

Coordinated by the Community Futures Development Corporation of the Sunshine Coast, completion of this project will result in the creation of a sustainable business plan. It will also enable the phased development of a 25-acre Gotanical Garden on land donated by the Town of Gibsons.

Harrison Hot Springs
Plan and Pre-Design for Miami Channel Reopening – $35,000

With support from the Community Futures Development Corporation of North Fraser, this initiative involves carrying out the necessary studies and permit applications to replace the culvert on the Miami River in Harrison Hot Springs with a bridge. This will increase small watercraft access to Harrison Hot Springs and provide tourism benefits to the community.

Squamish
Strategy for a Squamish Community Foundation – $22,313

With support from the Community Futures Development Corporation of Howe Sound, a policy manual and a five-year organization plan will be completed and adopted by the Squamish Community Foundation. The end result is to make this organization more efficient and self-sustaining.

Chilliwack
Cost and benefits Analysis of Attracting the World Trade University – $9,000

With support from the Community Futures Development Corporation of South Fraser, the Chilliwack Economic Partners Corporation has researched the potential impacts of locating the World Trade University (WTU) in Chilliwack.

The World Trade University is a global public-private partnership supported by agencies of the United Nations, inter-governmental entities such as the Group of 77, the Commonwealth Secretariat, and departments of the Government of Canada. The university aims to address the issues, challenges and opportunities of world trade and globalization faced by developing and emerging economies. It will achieve this by delivering advanced education programs in world trade, offering world trade services, and organizing global platform events and initiatives.

Okanagan Valley

Western Economic Diversification Canada has invested $27,500 toward two projects in two communities in this region.

Shuswap
Shuswap Hut-to-Hut Trail Circuit and Waterway – $20,000

This initiative features two independent aspects. The first assists with the costs of conducting a feasibility study of the Shuswap Hut-to-Hut Trail Circuit and Waterway to determine its overall economic, recreation and environmental viability. The second features collaboration between the Community Futures Development Corporation of Shuswap and the Sicamous Chamber of Commerce to establish a web-based reservation system for the tourist and recreational facilities in the area. This will allow visitors to the Shuswap to access and develop their own tourist packages.

Kelowna
Duke of Edinburgh Program – $7,500

The Duke of EdinburghSociety is a regional volunteer-led organization committed to developing today’s youth into future community leaders. This project, enabled by the Community Futures Development Corporation of Central Okanagan, will increase participation in the program, foster youth entrepreneurship and volunteerism and support the National Charter for Business Initiative.

The North East

Western Economic Diversification Canada has invested $265,415 toward five projects in five communities in this region.

Williams Lake
Regional Business Plans in Central Interior – $100,000

This initiative will help the region recover from recent setbacks caused by Bovine Spongiform Encephalopathy (BSE) and the mountain pine beetle. The Community Futures Development Corporation of Cariboo Chilcotin will work with the City of Williams Lake to develop business plans for a Regional Cattle Slaughter and Processing Facility, BSE Testing Facility, and Waste Disposal Facility. A regional action plan to address the mountain pine beetle infestation will also be created, through the formation of the Cariboo-Chilcotin Beetle Action Coalition. Finally, Community Futures will work with the Bella Coola Nuxalk Resource Society to develop a community forest management plan and a community business plan for the Bella Coola Valley.

Highway 20 Communities
Highway 20 Tourism Booklet – $16,685

The Community Futures Development Corporation of Cariboo-Chilcotin, and the Central Coast Economic Development Commission, are producing an information booklet to highlight tourism opportunities along Highway 20 in communities such as Bella Coola, Anahim Lake, Nimpo Lake, Kleena Kleene, Tatla Lake, Chilko Lake, Alexis Creek, Riske Creek and Williams Lake.

Quesnel
Quesnel 2020 Project – $58,730

The Community Futures Development Corporation of North Cariboo is working with the Quesnel Community and Economic Development Corporation to conduct community consultations and detailed business planning sessions. These sessions will identify economic opportunities for Quesnel that will add to residents’ quality of life.

Prince George
Aboriginal Youth Entrepreneurship Camp – $15,000

The 3 rd Annual Aboriginal Youth Entrepreneurship Camp (August 14-20, 2005) targets 24 Aboriginal youth aged 13-15 years, who are interested in learning more about business practices and Aboriginal entrepreneurship. The camp will teach the basics of business planning and small business operation, promote and encourage self-employment, and increase awareness of the opportunities that exist for Aboriginal youth.

Tumbler Ridge
Peace Region Paleontology Research Centre Expansion – $75,000

Scheduled to open in March 2006, the British Columbia Dinosaur Discovery Centre in Tumbler Ridge will feature exhibits showcasing B.C.’s first accumulation of dinosaur bones. This initiative, in cooperation with the Community Futures Development Corporation of Peace Liard, will establish a public display area at the Centre, including a gallery and administrative offices.

The North West

Western Economic Diversification Canada has invested $140,480 toward five projects in four communities in this region.

Dease Lake
Internet Access in Dease Lake – $38,000

The Community Futures Development Corporation of 16/37 is working with the Dease Lake Internet Society to provide high-speed Internet access to the community and local businesses. They have installed a stand-alone repeater system that will connect to the provincial government satellite earth station.

Telkwa
Marketing and Action Plans for Agriculture Industry – $22,500

With the support of the Community Futures Development Corporation of Nadina, this initiative will assist the Northwest Premium Meat Co-operative to produce by-laws and create a marketing plan. It will also fund a facilitator to coordinate the Upper Skeena Agriculture Environment Focus Group review and update its Action Plan for 2005.

Telkwa Community Energy Plan – $10,000

The Community Futures Development Corporation of Nadina is working with the Village of Telkwa to produce a community energy plan and renewable resource analysis. The energy plan will highlight local alternative energy supply options such as ground-source heating and cooling for municipal buildings, small hydro potential, and heat capture from the village sewage system.

Queen Charlotte City
Feasibility Study for Food Processing Facility – $15,800

The Community Futures Development Corporation of Haida Gwaii worked with the Maude Island Healthy Living Society to assess the feasibility of a local food processing facility for Chanterelle mushrooms.

Prince Rupert
Support Rushbrook Trail and Oona River Harbour Studies – $54,180

Working with the Price Rupert Rotary Club and the Community of Oona River, The Community Futures Development Corporation of Pacific Northwest, will complete two studies. The first study will examine the infrastructure and safety improvements required to re-open the Rushbrook Olympic Interpretive Walkway. The second study will look at solutions to improve access to Oona River through its harbour.

Thompson Country/Central Interior

Western Economic Diversification Canada has invested $50,000 toward two projects in four communities in this region.

Merritt
Merritt City Centre Improvement Planning and Consultations – $25,000

With the support of the Community Futures Development Corporation of Nicola Valley, various community, economic and business development organizations will work together to create a City Centre Plan for the City of Merritt. This will include a strategic plan for city centre improvement, a graphic concept plan and an implementation plan. The initiative will enhance collaboration for future development and improvements.

Logan Lake, Cache Creek, Ashcroft
Economic Strategy – $25,000

With the support of the Community Futures Development Corporation of Sun Country, Logan Lake, Cache Creek and Ashcroft are developing economic plans for their communities. The plans primarily focus on tourism, retail and industrial development opportunities.

Vancouver Island

Western Economic Diversification Canada has invested $39,500 toward three projects in two communities in this region.

Port Alberni
Aboriginal Business Database and Directory – $10,000

The Nuu-chah-nulth Economic Development Corporation will develop an Aboriginal Business Database and Nuu-chah-nulth Directory for documentation and promotion of Aboriginal businesses within the region.

Educational Video on Business Planning – $10,000

This initiative will develop an educational video to highlight key elements of a business plan, and profile six Nuu-chah-nulth business people that enjoyed greater success through the use of business planning.

Cowichan
Community Economic Development Readiness – $19,500

Coordinated by FutureCorp Cowichan, this initiative will measure the economic impact of the not-for-profit sector in the Cowichan Region to assist in the development of a strong economic and social environment for the region. It will also provide the foundation and framework for a capacity building program, and encourage partnership and collaboration between not-for-profit organizations in the region.