September 29, 2004 DAWSON CREEK, B.C -- Funding from the federal and provincial governments through the Canada-British Columbia Infrastructure Program will help the City of Dawson Creek in the creation of the Alaska Highway House facility, which will attract more visitors and provide tourists with improved access to information about the city and the Alaska Highway. British Columbia Minister of Small Business and Economic Development John Les made the announcement in Dawson Creek today on behalf of the provincial government and the Honourable Stephen Owen, Minister of Western Economic Diversification and Minster of State (Sport). The Alaska Highway House demonstrates the City of Dawson Creek’s commitment to strengthening its community,” said Minister Owen. “This initiative is an example of how we can work with all levels of government to empower our communities, create new jobs and develop economic opportunities throughout B.C.” The federal and provincial governments will each contribute more than $117,000 for the project. The project’s total cost is nearly $352,000. The Alaska Highway is the tourism backbone of our region,” said Peace River South MLA Blair Lekstrom. “This investment – coupled with the our new tourism strategy announced last week – will make sure we continue to see an increasing number of tourists, now and well into the future.” The Alaska Highway House will share a renovated space in the same building as the Chamber of Commerce and the Dawson Creek Visitor Information Centre, which assists approximately 40,000 visitors annually. With more than 100,000 visitors each year, tourism is a major economic contributor to the entire Alaska Highway Corridor,” said Les. “The Alaska Highway House will attract even more tourists to the region and increase their length of stay in the area by providing them with a unique and entertaining way of accessing information on the history, current conditions and many great attractions to see along the Alaska Highway.” The Alaska Highway House will provide information on the Alaska Highway to tourists and residents in an entertaining and informative way. Visitors will be able to access information on the 10,000-plus personnel involved in the 1942 construction of the Alaska Highway while motion sensor activated sound domes and computer kiosks will display visual images and provide sound clips on the highway’s history, current road conditions and the many attractions along the route. This announcement is indeed another great news story for the City of Dawson Creek,” said Dawson Creek Mayor Wayne Dahlen. “I want to recognize the efforts of our MLA Blair Lekstrom, the federal and provincial governments, and our own Northern Rockies Alaska Highway Tourism Association for securing this important funding. This project recognizes the important role the Alaska Highway plays in the economy of not only the City of Dawson Creek, but Northeastern British Columbia. We are now realizing a dream where the story of the building of this transportation corridor and tourism icon can be told right here at Mile “O”. The Alaska Highway is our Main Street, and Alaska Highway House will now be able to help better promote it.” Up to a maximum of 25 per cent of the program’s funding will be directed to community projects such as cultural and recreational facilities, infrastructure to support tourism, rural and remote telecommunications, high-speed Internet access for public institutions, local transportation and affordable housing. Today’s announcement brings the total number of approved projects to 300, with a total value of nearly $870 million, including more than $523 million from the federal and provincial governments. The project applicants contribute the remaining costs eligible under the program guidelines, plus any additional costs. Federal funding for the projects announced today was provided for in the March 2004 federal budget. - 30 - For additional information, contact: Susan Schooley Manager, Communications Western Economic Diversification Canada Vancouver, BC Tel: (604) 666-1318 E-mail: susan.schooley@wd.gc.ca Paul Woolley Communications Director Ministry of Small Business and Economic Development 250-356-9428 WD Toll-Free Number 1-888-338-WEST (9378) World Wide Web Site: English: http://www.wd.gc.ca French: http://www.deo.gc.ca
