December 16, 2008
Prince George, British Columbia
The Honourable Jay Hill, Member of Parliament for Prince George - Peace River, Leader of the Government in the House of Commons, on behalf of the Honourable Lynne Yelich, Minister of State for Western Economic Diversification, announced today federal funding of $215,930 to the Regional District of Fraser-Fort George (RDFFG) to conduct industrial land site evaluations to revitalize local land impacted by the Mountain Pine Beetle. Funding for this investment is being provided by Western Economic Diversification Canada under the Community Economic Diversification Initiative (CEDI), a component of the federal Mountain Pine Beetle Program.
"Today's investment will build future opportunities for Prince George industries," said Minister Hill. "By conducting initial site evaluations, we can then go forward and attract new investment, support new industry and build new infrastructure for our local economy which has been impacted by the Mountain Pine Beetle infestation."
Funding will help the Regional District of Fraser-Fort George conduct critical evaluations of potential industrial sites, including: environmental air quality, geotechnical and terrain conditions, suitability of rail line access and the need for utility infrastructure extensions. This project will assist the RDFFG and the municipalities within its boundaries, and other economic development organizations, as they plan for new local industries to diversify the regional economy.
"With this funding, the Regional District of Fraser-Fort George can further evaluate areas within the region for their suitability for new development, while respecting environmental and other considerations," says Art Kaehn, chair of the Regional District of Fraser-Fort George. "This is an important step forward as we work to continue to diversify our regional economy."
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 in partnership with the provinces, industry associations, and communities promotes the development and diversification of the western economy, coordinates federal economic activities in the West and represents the interests of western Canadians 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:
Donna Howes
Communications Manager, British Columbia
Western Economic Diversification Canada
Telephone: 604-666-1318
Cell: 604-505-6616
Renee McCloskey
Manager of External Relations
Regional District of Fraser Fort George
Telephone: 250-960-4453
WD Toll-Free Number:1 888 338-WEST (9378)
Website: WD is online at www.wd-deo.gc.ca.
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