The Friends of Fort Steele Society will further develop local heritage attractions that will provide interpretive and educational services to visitors, and assist in the development of innovative marketing initiatives, thanks to an investment by the Government of Canada, through Western Economic Diversification Canada.
Federal funding of $60,000 was announced today by the Honourable Jim Abbott, Parliamentary Secretary for Canadian Heritage and Member of Parliament for Kootenay - Columbia, 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.
"Today's investment will enable the Friends of Fort Steele Society to further develop the area as a 'must-see' location for visitors and travelers alike," said Mr. Abbott. "Developing local tourism is a renewal option for Mountain Pine Beetle affected communities seeking to diversify their local economy."
"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 the Friends of Fort Steele Society renovate and equip two existing on-site buildings, intended to provide interpretive and educational programs for visitors. The first will house four heritage trade attractions: a blacksmith, a harness maker, a tinsmith and a textile production tradesperson. The second renovation will expand the popular Ice Cream Parlour to support the anticipated increase in the facility's attraction and use. In addition, the Society will develop a product catalogue and on-line sales and marketing capacity.
"We are very excited about this grant announcement of $60,000 towards our Entrepreneurial Development Project that will focus on Heritage Trades," said David Cumming, President, Fort Steele Heritage Town. "This funding will provide our heritage trades program the opportunity to establish itself as a year-round operation and will directly provide training and employment for new positions in this unique field of knowledge and expertise. It is a great opportunity for heritage trade and a great opportunity for Fort Steele Heritage Town!"
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 represent 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 information, 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
David Cumming
President, Fort Steele Heritage Town
Fort Steele, BC
Tel: (250) 417-6000
