August 11, 2009
Prince George, British Columbia - Today, The Honourable Jay Hill, Member of Parliament for Prince George - Peace River and Leader of the Government in the House of Commons, on behalf of the Honourable Lynne Yelich, Minister of State for Western Economic Diversification, announced federal support for several projects that will benefit the economies of Prince George and surrounding communities.
"The mountain pine beetle infestation along with the global economic downturn has had a tremendous impact on our forestry-dependant communities," said Minister Hill. "Today's investments will create new opportunities and support long term planning to help diversify and strengthen our region."
The six projects announced today range from workshops capitalizing on biomass energy opportunities to the development of tourism marketing strategies and economic development plans. While different in scope, these projects all have one common goal - to strengthen, diversify and ensure the long-term resilience of the local economy and to ensure that individuals and families are able to thrive in the region.
Total federal funding of $945,070 for these six projects is provided by Western Economic Diversification Canada (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/publications_e.html.
For more information on Canada's Economic Action Plan, please visit: http://www.actionplan.gc.ca/.
For additional information, contact:
Donna Howes
Communications Manager, British Columbia
Western Economic Diversification Canada
Tel: 604-666-1318
Cell: 604-505-6616
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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On August 12, 2009, the Government of Canada announced funding of $945,070 towards six projects located throughout the Prince George - Peace River region of British Columbia.
- West Moberly First Nations
- Contribution of $427,070 toward the development of a tourism plan, community skills assessment and two feasibility studies examining navigational waterway tourism and a birch syrup tourism opportunity.
- This three-phase project will develop a strong foundation for West Moberly First Nation's future economic development, expanding the aboriginal tourism industry and identifying new job opportunities in the area. This will ensure the long-term economic sustainability and growth of the First Nations.
- Lheidli T'enneh Band
- Investment of $220,000 to the Band toward the development of a community engagement strategy and economic diversification plan.
- The band will hire a facilitator to work with community members to develop an engagement strategy and an economic diversification plan. This will build the capacity of the band to respond effectively to economic opportunities that may otherwise not be identified.
- Resources North Association: Two Projects
- Deliver workshops on the potential of biomass energy industries for First Nations
- A contribution of $105,000 toward the delivery of workshops to First Nations in Prince George, Burns Lake, Vanderhoof and Fort St. James, focused on the potential of biomass energy systems and industries to enhance the long-term stability and economic diversification of these First Nations communities.
- The workshops will include presentations from experts and practitioners of biomass systems, as well as from First Nations who have implemented biomass energy systems in their communities.
- Deliverworkshops to communities on agro forestry opportunities
- Contribution of $44,500 to deliver workshops to First Nations in three locations--Prince George, Vanderhoof and Burns Lake--focused on agro forestry. The overall goal of the project is to demonstrate how agro forestry could be an option for economic diversification and development, improving revenues and stabilizing wood fibre flow.
- The workshops will include an overview of: agro forestry principles and practices in BC and associated ecological benefits; conservation principles and the function of trees and shrubs in agricultural landscapes; the economics of agro forestry; and discussions concerning potential local opportunities with experts and practitioners of agro forestry.
- Initiatives Prince George
- Investment of $96,000 toward the Golden Raven Cultural Marketing Tourism Program. The Golden Raven branding initiative was developed in consultation with local and provincial governments and was officially launched in 2008. The primary goal is to raise awareness of the Golden Raven brand in targeted marketplaces, reinforcing its value and motivating travelers to spend time in designated cultural attractions. The successful delivery of this plan will encourage visitors to spend more time in the region, therefore increasing dollars spent.
- The Golden Raven branding initiative was created to promote cultural tourism offerings within the RDFFG, and is part of the region's broader cultural strategy developed in 2006 that establishes a vision for sustained growth and management of arts, culture and heritage within the area. Golden Raven brand attractions include: Valemount and Area Museum and Archives in McBride; Mackenzie & District Museum in Mackenzie and The Exploration Place Science Centre & Museum in Prince George.
- Regional District of Fraser Fort George (RDFFG)
- Investment of $52,500 to investigate the economic diversification opportunities in the Robson and Canoe Valleys, potential business opportunities if the Robson and Canoe Valleys were to operate as one economic unit, with the purpose of strengthening the attractiveness and marketability of the area, leading to a more secure economic future.
- The RDFFG will hire a consultant to research and work with local businesses and the two valley communities regarding the current economy, in an effort to further develop existing assets in the region. The consultant will also prepare a report outlining the research findings and recommendations for economic development opportunities.
