The City of Armstrong will construct a replica railway station to be housed within a Town "Spirit" Square, and increase its tourism opportunities, thanks to an investment by the Government of Canada, through Western Economic Diversification Can nada.
Federal funding of more than $80,000 was announced today by Colin Mayes, Member of Parliament for Okanagan - Shuswap, 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 provided under the Community Economic Diversification Initiative (CEDI), a component of the federal Mountain Pine Beetle Program.
"The replica railway station will enable the City of Armstrong to pursue a new economic diversification initiative," said Mr. Mayes. "This funding will provide an opportunity for the economy of Armstrong to continue to grow and thrive."
"The project an nounced 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."
"This replica train station will commemorate the important history of the railway in the settling of Armstrong," said Shuswap MLA George Abbott. "Spirit" Squares are places of celebration and this railway display wil l attract both locals and visitors to learn about the proud history of our province."
Funding will help the City of Armstrong to construct a wooden replica of the train station, with a covered platform that incorporates pictures of the railway and the settlement history of the Armstrong area. It will serve as a public space, in an area that is currently being remodeled to serve as a Town "Spirit" Square. The railway station is set to become a showcase attraction in the City of Armstrong.
" This very welcome announcement is an excellent illustration of government, the forest industry and our community working together to address the economic challenges we collectively face through this novel community project celebrating Armstrong's rail and forestry heritage." said Armstrong Mayor Jerry Oglow.
Managed by Western Economic Diversification 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 future 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 Mountain 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 represen t the interests of the West in national decision-making.
For more information on the federal Mountain Pine Beetle Program, please visit: http://mpb.cfs.nrcan.gc.ca/
For additional informatio n, contact:
Pierre Floréa
Director of Communications
Office of the President of the Queen's Privy Council for Canada, Minister of Intergovernmental Affairs and Minister of Western Economic Diversification
Telephone: (613) 943-1838
Ms. Patti Ferguson
City Administrator
Armstrong, BC
Telephone: (250) 546-3023
