Province aiming to boost resilience of rural communities

By Times Chronicle Staff

The provincial government is investing up to $33 million to support projects that promote economic diversification, resilience, clean-growth opportunities and infrastructure development in rural communities. 

The Rural Economic Diversification and Infrastructure Program (REDIP) will provide funding in 2022-23 for local governments, First Nations and other not-for-profit organizations looking to strengthen their communities. Applications for the funding opened on Nov. 15. 

Noting that rural BC is passionate about its communities which are “incredibly resilient in the face of challenges,” Ravi Kahlon, Minister of Jobs, Economic Recovery and Innovation said the aim was to help diversify local economies to support “good, stable jobs” for the long run.

Roly Russell, Parliamentary Secretary for Rural and Regional Development said the government is looking to build on this rural resilience through a suite of initiatives, including the REDIP initiative.

“From capacity-building to Internet connectivity to enhanced and new infrastructure, we’re working with communities in every corner of the province so that people can thrive wherever they live,” Russell said.

Communities can receive funding through three streams:

• Economic diversification – Projects that plan or implement programs, services and infrastructure to support economic development and diversification in communities with populations of 25,000 or less (maximum funding: $1 million).

• Economic capacity – Projects that build local capacity and improve ability to support economic development and diversification in communities with populations of 2,500 or less (maximum funding: $100,000).

• Forest impact transition – Projects that support economic recovery and diversification in affected forest-dependent communities (maximum funding: $500,000). 

“In response to the significant economic challenges facing many BC communities, the Union of BC Municipalities (UBCM) has long advocated for additional funding assistance to help local governments transition and diversify their local economies,” said Jen Ford, UBCM president. This new program will support communities in advancing their economic aspirations, she added. 

Local governments, Indigenous communities and organizations, Indigenous development corporations and not-for-profit organizations can now apply for funding. A second intake will be open next year, with more information available in spring 2023.