July 14, 2009 - Kamloops, British Columbia
Today, Cathy McLeod, Member of Parliament for Kamloops - Thompson - Cariboo, on behalf of the Honourable Lynne Yelich, Minister of State for Western Economic Diversification, announced federal support towards a development study for the design of commercial and industrial land in the Kamloops area.
"Our Government is continuing to take action to assist communities that have been challenged by the mountain pine beetle," said Ms. McLeod. "This investment in the Whispering Pines Industrial Park will create new opportunities and showcase that our region is open for business."
Based on previously commissioned plans, the Whispering Pines/Clinton Indian Band will now begin preliminary planning and design for an industrial park. This will include designing infrastructure to service parcels of undeveloped land for mixed commercial and light industrial development. Key project activities will include a geotechnical assessment, pre-design of water sources, treatment and sewage options including drilling test wells, installation of fencing, preliminary design of access and internal roadways, utilities investigation and then presenting preliminary and final reports to community members.
"Our project will result in diversifying our economy from the dependency of forestry activities by designing new products and services to the regional economy by proposing a mixed use development that will generate short term revenue and long term employment," said Chief Michael LeBourdais and council.
Federal funding of $350,000 is being provided by Western Economic Diversification Canada under the Community Economic Diversification Initiative (CEDI), a component of the federal Mountain Pine Beetle Program.
Western Economic Diversification Canada works with the provinces, industry associations, and communities to promote 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
Vi LeBourdais
Administrator
Whispering Pines/Clinton Indian Band
Telephone: 250-579-5772
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.
