March 29, 2005 Kelowna, British Columbia -- A new aircraft maintenance and aerospace training facility will be built at Kelowna International Airport, thanks to $3 million in combined federal and provincial funding. The Government of Canada and Province of B.C. have partnered with the British Columbia Institute of Technology (B.C.I.T), Kelowna Flightcraft Inc., the City of Kelowna, School District #23 (Central Okanagan), Kelowna International Airport and Westjet to establish the new facility, which will provide space for maintenance of large Boeing aircraft and a dedicated training facility for delivery of Transport Canada-approved training in Aircraft Maintenance Engineering (AME). "This new facility will help meet the demands of a growing aerospace industry while creating jobs and generating economic activity for the City of Kelowna," said Senator Ross Fitzpatrick on behalf of the Honourable Stephen Owen, Minister of Western Economic Diversification and Minister of State (Sport). "Today's federal/provincial investment is building a more sustainable future for this community and strengthening airport capacity for the upcoming 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games ." "The aerospace industry plays an important role in the Okanagan's economic success," said Rick Thorpe, MLA for Okanagan-Westside. "By having training and employment opportunities closer to home, this new facility will ensure the Okanagan remains a leader in British Columbia's aerospace industry." "The aerospace sector is flourishing in this part of the province," said Sindi Hawkins, MLA for Kelowna-Mission. "This partnership will open new doors for the industry in this area and guarantee continued prosperity for the Okanagan." "We're building on a very successful public-private partnership at Kelowna International Airport that has been a cornerstone of aerospace training and job development in the Okanagan since 1999," said Tony Knowles, president of the B.C.I.T. "This new aircraft maintenance and aerospace training facility addresses specific industry needs." The Kelowna facility is one of 28 projects announced today, with a total value of $10.2 million in funding from the Western Economic Partnership Agreement. Other projects receiving funding include the Wood Enterprise Centre in Quesnel and the Centre for Shellfish Research in Nanaimo. The Western Economic Partnership Agreement is a $50 million joint federal/provincial program supporting economic development in B.C. Western Economic Diversification Canada and the B.C. Ministry of Small Business and Economic Development jointly administer the program. The agreement was announced on Dec. 3, 2003, and is funded equally by the governments of Canada and British Columbia. The federal portion of the funding announced today was provided for in the February 2005 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 Karen McDonald 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 Backgrounder Fed/Prov Funding Supports 28 Community Projects On March 29, 2005, the federal and provincial governments announced $10.2 million in funding under the Western Economic Partnership Agreement for 28 projects: Provincewide: The Kootenay Aboriginal Business Advocates Society (Cranbrook), the Aboriginal Business Development Centre (Prince George) and the Northeast Aboriginal Business Centre (Fort St. John) will receive more than $2.1 million to provide advisory support and assistance to Aboriginal peoples interested in starting or expanding a business. The Cruise Association of BC will receive $220,000 to develop a business and marketing plan to help promote B.C. and the Inside Passage as a Canadian cruise destination. Aboriginal Tourism B.C. will receive $127,500 to develop marketing and operational support for Aboriginal tourism business members. The Retail Merchants Association of B.C. will receive $95,000 to develop a customized retail training program for independently owned and operated businesses. The Grassroots/Grasslands Conservation will receive $30,000 to develop a strategy to mitigate the loss of grass and rangelands from fragmentation and development. Okanagan/Interior: The B.C. Institute of Technology will receive $3 million to work with the Kelowna Flightcraft toward establishing a Boeing 757 maintenance and aerospace training facility at Kelowna International Airport. University College of Cariboo will receive $335,700 to equip the biochemistry laboratory with advanced capillary electrophoresis-mass spectrometer equipment. This equipment is used for research in industries such as the pharmaceutical, environmental, and food and beverage industries. The Okanagan Partnership Development Society will receive $65,000 to undertake a series of economic development projects throughout the Okanagan Valley toward improving marketing and communications, partnership, and long-term sustainability. The Summerland Chamber of Economic Development will receive $25,000 to enhance bioscience and technology education and to research commercialization opportunities that support the economic clusters in the Okanagan region. Kootenays: The Cranbrook Canadian Railway Museum will receive $50,000 to undertake a comprehensive landscaping plan for the museum site and nearby King Street intersection. The Kinbasket Development Corporation will receive $40,000 to conduct a study on water/sewage system requirements for the Windermere to Radium Hot Springs corridor of the Columbia Valley. The Elk Valley Coal Discovery Centre Society will receive $35,000 to create a development plan for interpretive sites at the Hosmer Heritage Site and a paleontological site near Elkford. The Regional District of Kootenay Boundary Economic Development Commission will receive $30,000 to develop a business plan for the Trail Airport and to examine navigation approaches for improved air access. The Red Mountain Racers Society will receive $25,000 to support the establishment of a national Junior Alpine Training centre at Rossland. The Golden and Area Community Economic Development Society will receive $25,000 to evaluate and enhance the Golden Provincial Visitor Info Centre and the Burgess Shale Discovery Centre. North: The Community Future Development Corporation of North Cariboo will receive $1 million to expand and relocate the Wood Enterprise Centre to the Quesnel Light Industrial Park. The University of Northern BC will receive $1.2 million to complete the Life Sciences facility. The Village of Valemount will receive $50,000 to examine the feasibility of establishing a community forest tenure and encouraging increased value-added wood manufacturing. The Northern Rockies Alaska Highway Tourism Association will receive $30,000 to develop a strategy for the participation of First Nations in the Alaska Highway Community Initiative. The Burns Lake & District Community Economic Development Association will receive $17,500 to develop a marketing strategy for the Lakes District. The Kiwanis Enterprise Centre - Branding the Peace will receive $10,000 to develop a marketing strategy and promotional tools . Vancouver Island: Comox Valley Economic Development Society will receive $50,000 to develop cultural signage for heritage sites throughout the Comox Valley. The Alberni-Clayoquot Regional District will receive $14,000 to help develop a business plan for the Tofino and Alberni Valley airports. The Centre for Aquatic Health Sciences Society will receive $100,000 to examine the feasibility of developing an aquatic tank-based research facility in Campbell River. Malaspina University-College will receive $252,000 to expand its Centre for Shellfish Research. Lower Mainland: The B.C. Cancer Foundation will receive $1.2 million to purchase additional equipment for the new B.C. Cancer Research Centre. The Fraser Basin Council will receive $158,000 for eight integrated sustainability initiatives in the Fraser Basin including a report on Integrated Flood Hazard Management and a youth engagement strategy. Naut'sa Mawt Tribal Council of Delta will receive $11,000 to host a workshop and develop a report to improve First Nations participation in the shellfish aquaculture industry.
