Cariboo-Chilcotin MLA Donna Barnett made a presentation about the newly announced BC Rural Dividend (BCRD) to the Interlakes Economic Association (IEA) at the boardroom of the IEA on April 7.
She gave a general overview of the BCRD program to a large group of business people.
“It was the first time I’ve talked about the program since the announcement. I just talked to them about who was eligible, where the application form is, the different components of it and those types of things.”
Premier Christy Clark announced the funding component of the BCRD – $75 million over three years – in Williams Lake on March 31.
The goal is to have $25 million handed out annually to help rural communities with a population less than 25,000 in specific categories: capacity building, workforce development, and community, economic and business sector development.
During her announcement, Clark explained wealth is leaving rural communities through mining, forestry and agriculture, but it doesn’t come back to the rural communities.
“This money will help communities cope with uncertain times.
Barnett, who is the chair of the Rural Advisory Council, agreed with Premier Clark.
She said the timing of the announcement was good because it will help communities facing mills closure because of the pine and spruce beetle impacts in forestry and other impediments.
Local governments, not-for-profit organizations and First Nations are all eligible to apply for grants.
• Single applicants can apply for up to $100,000 for community-driven projects, and must contribute at least 20 per cent of the total project costs.
• Partnerships involving more than one eligible applicant can apply for up to $500,000, and must contribute 40 per cent of the total project cost. Barnett said the applicants’ contribution portion cannot come from other government sources, but it can come from non-governmental funding, such as various foundations or Northern Development Initiative Trust.
• Up to 10 per cent of the applicant contributions can be in the form of in-kind contributions.
The local MLA notes there is a category called Special Circumstance, which can be used if a group can’t qualify for one of the specific categories and there is a “significant economic downturn and hardship due to the loss of a key driver.”
For example, if the mills in the South Cariboo closed down, Barnett notes that would qualify for the Special Circumstances category.
Application deadline is May 31 for the first intake.
The Rural Dividend website, which includes guidelines and the application form, can be found at www.gov.bc.ca/ruraldividend.
