NKDF grants $139,702 for projects in Vanderhoof, Burns Lake, Southside and Fraser Lake
MAY 29, 2020

At the May 12, 2020 Board meeting of the Nechako-Kitamaat Development Fund Society, Directors approved $139,702 funding for seven new projects.

The following grants were awarded to new projects:

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$6,500 was granted to the Nechako Valley Regional Cattlemen’s Association for the Building Resilience & Adaptation in Agriculture-Responding to Insect Pests project. This project will help producers adapt to changing conditions for raising crops, including pest identification and monitoring skills, and enabling timely and accurate decisions on appropriate intervention treatments.

$30,000 was awarded to the Burns Lake Mountain Biking Club to go toward the Village Connector and Uptrack Project. This project will create an uptrack trail to the top of Boer Mountain and a village connector trail towards Burns Lake that will allow for easier and safer bike access to the community.

Burns Lake Snowmobile Club was granted $12,325 to assist with constructing a gazebo at the Nellian Lake day site.  

$4,000 was granted to the Burns Lake and District Chamber of Commerce to produce the 2020 Tourist Information Book promoting outdoor recreational opportunities and local business in and around Burns Lake.

The Regional District Bulkley Nechako will receive $40,000 to go toward the purchase of a new fire truck for the Southside Volunteer Fire Department. 

$43,963 was granted to the Village of Fraser Lake to go toward upgrades of the ammonia refrigeration system at the Fraser Lake Arena.

Village of Fraser Lake was granted $2,914 for the Disability Doors Assist project, which will include installation of automatic door openers/closures and universal accessible buttons at the Fraser Lake Recreation Complex and Municipal Office.

Michelle Mungall, Minister of Jobs, Economic Development and Competitiveness, says

“It is important in times like these to continue to add amenities and services that enhance community infrastructure. The Nechako-Kitamaat Development Fund Society is a key contributor to job creation and improving the quality of life in this vibrant region of the province.”

Affonso Bizon, Rio Tinto BC Work’s general manager says, “It is promising to see all the economic development happening in BC’s Northwest. It is exciting to watch our districts grow into destinations and that foster stronger and safer communities. Looking forward to more great partnerships with NKDF.”

NKDF Chair Cindy Shelford says, “From local food production to developing community outdoor recreational infrastructure these projects are vital to strengthening our communities and contributing to COVID-19 recovery.”

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.