Just over $250,000 is coming to the Lower Sunshine Coast through provincial Rural Economic Diversification and Infrastructure Program (REDIP) funds announced April 11.
Three lower Sunshine Coast organizations are among the recipients of the program's first intake:
- Sunshine Coast Regional Economic Development Organization (SCREDO) received $96,700 for "Strengthening Economic Livelihoods on the Sunshine Coast" through the economic diversification stream.
- Gambier Island Community Association received $84,000 to develop a resident and business attraction and retention plan for the island through the economic capacity stream.
- Gibsons Community Building Society received $75,339 for the Gibsons Public Market Heat Pump Project through the economic diversification stream.
"Communities throughout B.C. have unique needs when it comes to the well-being of their residents and their economies," said Brenda Bailey, Minister of Jobs, Economic Development and Innovation in a provincial press release. "That's why we're increasing our support for rural B.C., working side by side with local governments and First Nations to launch rural economic development projects that will provide good, sustainable jobs that allow people to stay in the communities they love."
“Communities and Indigenous groups have bounced back from the pandemic and constantly bring new ideas and initiatives to the table,” said Nicholas Simons, MLA for Powell River-Sunshine Coast in a localized press release. “I am grateful to see our government support these initiatives to help them grow and develop cleaner community infrastructure.”
BC approved more than 200 economic development projects from local governments, First Nations and not-for-profit organizations across B.C., according to the provincial press release. B.C. is investing up to $66 million in the REDIP program this year to promote "diversification, clean-economy opportunities and infrastructure development in rural B.C.," said the release. A second intake for the program is opening this year.
