NKDF Society Reflects on First Full Year
MAY 22, 2001

Welcoming approximately fifteen local guests, representing local development agencies, the Nechako-Kitamaat Development Fund Society held its second Annual General Meeting last week in Vanderhoof.

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The meeting was followed by an open house for informal introductions and discussions.

The AGM focused on administration and programs during the Society’s first full year of operations (the Society was incorporated in August 1999). Society Chair, Dave Merz, reflected the relative infancy of the Society in his opening statement, "this year has seen us continue to spend much time working on organizational tasks for the Society as well as reviewing 13 applications for funding."

The Society provides loans and grants to legal organizations for projects that create sustaining employment opportunities, diversify the economy, improve capacity to generate economic development and that improve the basic infrastructure needed for growth, jobs, community stability and quality of life. Society activities and programs are supported through the Northern Development Fund, jointly established by the government of British Columbia and Alcan.

Society Manager, Fiona Glass, presented the Annual Report for 2000-2001. Highlights include:

• Establishment of a $1 million Business Loans Program in collaboration with the Community Futures Development Corporations of Stuart-Nechako, Nadina and 16/37;
• Approval of 6 grant applications totaling over $500,000 and ranging from a proposal-writing workshop in Fort Fraser and help with the construction of Ootsa Lake Bible camp to a down-town revitalization project in Vanderhoof;
• Development of the Community Legacy Program (to maximize the benefit of Society investments to the identified investment area and the rate of return through investing a portion of the Northern Development Fund with a BC investment firm);
• Winning the Community Partnership award from the Community Futures Development Association of BC;
• Achievement of the NKDF Society’s goal of keeping administration costs under 10% of annual revenue.

Copies of the Annual Report may be requested from the Society by calling their toll free line at 1 877 478 3863. A copy will also be posted on the Society web-site (www.ndf.gov.bc.ca).

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Contact: Fiona Glass
(250) 877 6922