July 15, 2009
Quesnel, British Columbia
Today, Dick Harris, Member of Parliament for Cariboo - Prince George, on behalf of the Honourable Lynne Yelich, Minister of State for Western Economic Diversification, announced federal support for two projects with the Quesnel Community and Economic Development Corporation.
" Our Government is taking action to assist communities that have been challenged by the mountain pine beetle, " said Mr. Harris. " This investment will strengthen Quesnel's infrastructure, create new job opportunities, and better equip our region for future prosperity. "
" We are pleased to receive funding that will give our community the opportunity to plan for a potential bypass route. The North South Connector funding will assist in planning the best alternate route for Quesnel, " said Mayor Sjostrom. " Funding for the Quesnel Commercial Areas Beautification Planning and Design Project will assist in planning for beautification for the corridors and the commercial areas of Quesnel. "
The first investment of $106,000 will help to design and engineer enhancements of Quesnel commercial areas and corridors. Enhancements will include: low-maintenance landscaping in transportation corridors along with more formal landscaping and enhancements such as information banners; cultural and tourism improvements such as sites of historic interest and public art; and site identification and designs for improved parking.
The second investment, for $35,000 will go toward the planning of a North-South connector in transportation infrastructure. The City will undertake a study to identify key transportation infrastructure investments that would enhance the movement of people, goods, and services in the downtown Quesnel North-South corridor and determine sustainable economic development recommendations that would be used to prioritize potential improvements.
Federal funding of $141,000 is being provided by Western Economic Diversification Canada under the Community Economic Diversification Initiative (CEDI), a component of the federal Mountain Pine Beetle Program.
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
Carol Anderson
City of Quesnel
Communications Clerk
(250) 991-7480
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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