August 11, 2008 - Princeton, British Columbia
SBC Firemaster Ltd. will purchase equipment to construct a wood pallet manufactu uring facility in Princeton, thanks to an investment by the Government of Canada, through Western Economic Diversification Canada.
Federal funding of more than $93,000 was announced today by Ron Cannan, Member of Parliament for Kelowna-Lake Countr y, on behalf of the Honourable Rona Ambrose, President of the Queen's Privy Council for Canada, Minister of Intergovernmental Affairs and Minister of Western Economic Diversification and Gary Lunn, Minister of Natural Resources.
Funding is provide d, on a repayable basis, under the Community Economic Diversification Initiative (CEDI), a component of the federal Mountain Pine Beetle Program.
"This will enable the region to develop innovative solutions to improve the local economy," said Mr. Cannan. "Purchasing the equipment will add value to manufactured wood products and help the community become less reliant on the forestry industry."
"The project announced today is an example of how the Government of Canada is addressing the needs of communities affected by the Mountain Pine Beetle infestation," said Minister Lunn. "Through this support, our government is helping impacted communities turn challenges into economic opportunities."
Funding will help SBC Firemaster Ltd. to purc hase equipment to start the production of wood pallets using beetle damaged lumber sawn by the Upper Similkameen Indian Band. The facility will use low-grade discoloured lumber for the manufacturing of pallets, which will replace those currently purchased from the Lower Mainland. Since this will be the only regional facility, it is expected that this will create new employment opportunities.
"This funding will assist in further combating the beetle problem," said Brent Wiren, CEO of SBC Firemaster. "We are pleased that Western Economic Diversification Canada and the Government of Canada are providing assistance to a small business that has been negatively impacted by the downturn in the forestry sector."
Managed by Western Economic Diversi fication Canada, CEDI will invest more than $33 million over two years towards projects in communities most at risk from the Mountain Pine Beetle infestation. The program supports a wide range of projects that further economic growth, job creation and fut ure community sustainability.
The CEDI program is part of the Government of Canada's $200 million comprehensive response to mitigate the short- and long-term effects of the Mountain Pine Beetle infestation on B.C.'s forestry sector. This federal Mo untain Pine Beetle Program is led by Natural Resources Canada, in collaboration with Western Economic Diversification Canada (WD) and Transport Canada.
Western Economic Diversification Canada is a department of the Government of Canada that works in partnership with the provinces, industry associations and communities to promote the development and diversification of the western economy and to represent the interests of the West in national decision-making.
For more information on the feder al Mountain Pine Beetle Program, please visit: http://mpb.cfs.nrcan.gc.ca
For additional information, contact:
Jonah Mozeson
Special Assistant(Communications)
Office of the Pr esident of the Queen's Privy Council for Canada, Minister of Intergovernmental Affairs and Minister of Western Economic Diversification
613-614-9293
Paul Adams
Public and Government Relations
SBC Firemaster
Princeton, BC
Telephone: (250) 295-1219
WD Toll-Free Number:1 888 338-WEST (9378)
Website: WD is online at www.wd-deo.gc.ca.
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