July 16, 2009
Williams Lake, British Columbia
Dick Harris, Member of Parliament for Cariboo-Prince George, on behalf of the Honourable Lynne Yelich, Minister of State for Western Economic Diversification, today announced a federal investment towards the Cariboo Regional District (CRD) to develop a framework for a long-term regional development strategy.
"Our Government's support will assist the Cariboo Regional District communities work together and realize their full economic potential," said Mr. Harris. "This investment will better position our region to respond to the challenges of the mountain pine beetle infestation."
Funding will establish a cooperative strategic plan for sustainable, long term regional development that will engage both municipal and First Nations partners. This framework will enable the CRD to conduct research and facilitate collaborative decision making for region-wide initiatives that will help local communities achieve their economic goals.
"Programs such as the CEDI are vital to the future of our communities in these times of economic uncertainty, and we are really looking forward to getting this project underway," stated CRD Chair Al Richmond. "With this funding we will be able to undertake a comprehensive feasibility study that will help us create the foundations for a regional framework to help guide the future development of our region."
Federal funding of $60,000 is provided by Western Economic Diversification (WD) under the Community Economic Diversification Initiative (CEDI), a component of the federal Mountain Pine Beetle program.
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
Shelly Burich
Manager of Communications,
Cariboo Regional District
Telephone: 250-305-2177
WD Toll-Free Number:1 888 338-WEST (9378)
Teletypewriter (TTY): 1 877 303-3388
Website: WD is online at www.wd-deo.gc.ca.
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