NKDF grants $179,119 for projects in Fraser Lake, Vanderhoof and Burns Lake
APR 16, 2020

NKDF grants $179,119 for projects in Fraser Lake, Vanderhoof and Burns Lake

At the March 25, 2020 Board meeting of the Nechako-Kitamaat Development Fund Society, Directors approved $179,119 funding for six new projects.

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The following grants were awarded to new projects:

• $80,000 was granted to the Village of Fraser Lake for the Fraser Lake Innovation Centre. This funding will be used to renovate a building to serve as the Innovation Centre with the goal of expanding services and training offered in the community and to create and provide a community space.
  
  
• Village of Fraser Lake was granted $35,000 for the Fraser Lake Fire Department to assist with the purchase of new self-contained breathing apparatus for use by the Fire Department when attending fire, hazmat, and road rescue calls.
  
  
• $35,000 was awarded to the Vanderhoof Flying Club to go toward acquiring the aviation fuel system at the Vanderhoof Airport.
  
  
• $13,819 was granted to the Nechako Valley Exhibition Society to go toward the purchase of a tractor that is vital to sustaining daily operations at the Exhibition Grounds and to facilitate numerous annual events.
  
  
• District of Vanderhoof was granted $7,800 to go toward installing wayfinding signage throughout the community of Vanderhoof to attract and direct tourists to recreational facilities and amenities.
  
  
• Burns Lake and District Seniors Society will receive $7,500 to assist with resurfacing the 400m oval walking track, which will enable it to be used year-round.

Michelle Mungall, Minister of Jobs, Economic Development and Competitiveness, says, “These NKDF grants will provide new amenities to support business and recreation in Vanderhoof, Fraser Lake and Burns Lake. People who call this region home will benefit from these community development projects for years to come.”

Affonso Bizon, Rio Tinto BC Work’s general manager says, “Rio Tinto recognizes the importance to keep economic development projects going in our communities, especially at times like these. We are encouraged to see NKDF continue to support the sustainability of our local communities.”

NKDF Chair Cindy Shelford says, “The NKDF Board of Directors is pleased to partner in these projects as communities throughout the investment area grapple with the effects of COVID-19 while they strive for economic recovery.”  

Nechako-Kitamaat Development Fund Society awarded $500,000 in grants for the 2019-2020 funding cycle.

The next application deadline is July 28, 2020. For more information please visit http://www.nkdf.org/

For more information on past projects funded throughout the NKDF investment area please visit http://www.nkdf.org/projects or Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/NKDFS

The Nechako-Kitamaat Development Fund Society was jointly established in 1997 with a combined contribution of $15 million by the government of British Columbia and the former Alcan Inc., now Rio Tinto. The Fund’s investment area includes lands impacted by the original Kemano project and focuses on the communities in the Ootsa, Lakes, Nechako and Haisla regions of the north.

The Society encourages applications from local governments, local First Nations governments and legally incorporated non-profit organizations. NKDF invests in projects that create sustainable employment, diversify the economy, and improve the basic infrastructure needed for community stability, quality of life and growth.