As of Nov. 15, local governments, Indigenous communities,organizations and development corporations as well as not-for-profit organizations can apply for grants under BC's Rural Economic Diversification and Infrastructure Program (REDIP).
BC's Minister of Jobs, Economic Recovery and Innovation, Ravi Kahlon announced the program in a press conference hosted Nov. 14. Joining him at the event was Parliamentary Secretary for Rural and Regional Development, Roly Russell, who remarked that the timing would allow for "shovels to be in the ground in 2023" for applicants successful in the initial round of funding. Russell who is also the member of the legislative assembly for Boundary-Similkameen, noted that there would be an additional intake of applications later in 2023.
Coast Reporter reached out to elected officials from our area's local governments for their reaction to the news. District of Sechelt Mayor John Henderson said, that in his view “a commitment to and passion for innovation and creativity is at the core of most projects and businesses undertaken in Sechelt. In many cases, grant funding is vital to help these initiatives get started and prosper. Like most local governments, Sechelt’s financial resources are extremely limited, so funding programs, like REDIP, are very important to help us continue to build a vibrant and inclusive community.”
The online guide for the program states submissions for the initial stage funding needs to be submitted by Jan. 4, 2023. Applicants are not required to contribute financially to the project. Regional districts with population of over 25,000 (including the Sunshine Coast Regional District) can submit one application for each eligible Electoral Area.
Funding will be available through three streams. The economic diversification arm will make up to $1 million available to communities with populations under 25,000 to fund projects to plan or implement programs, services and infrastructure to support community economic development and diversification. Smaller communities of 2500 residents or less are also eligible for up to $100,000 for projects that build local capacity and improve ability to support economic development and diversification in communities. Affected forest dependent communities will have access to as much as $500,000 for projects that support economic recovery and diversification.
REDIP funding comes from the province's budget 2022 commitment of $185 million over three years to provide coordinated and comprehensive supports for forestry workers, industry, communities and First Nations that may be affected by restrictions on old-growth logging.
"People across rural B.C. are passionate about their communities and are incredibly resilient in the face of challenges," Kahlon, said in a Nov. 14 press release. "As part of our StrongerBC Economic Plan, we͛re working shoulder to shoulder with local governments and First Nations to help diversify local economies to support good, stable jobs for people for years to come".
