Nechako-Kitamaat Development Fund (NKDF) Society grants are designed to support sustainable economic activity in northern communities affected by the Kitimat-Kemano project and by the creation of the Nechako Reservoir. NKDF spends the income from its long-term investments on projects that meet each community’s economic development and community building goals and contribute to overall community health, development, and stability.
In 1997, as part of a resolution of legal issues surrounding the cancellation of the Kemano Completion Project in northwestern British Columbia, the government of British Columbia and Alcan Inc. each contributed $7.5 million to create the BC-Alcan Northern Development Fund. The BC-Alcan Northern Development Fund Act was passed in 1998.
Following advice from a regional advisory board, the NKDF Society was incorporated on August 18, 1999. The Minister of Jobs, Innovation and Skills Development appoints Board members to represent the communities of the Nechako-Kitamaat area.
The investment area for NKDF is normally limited to those areas with evidence of impacts from Rio Tinto Alcan’s Nechako Reservoir and Kemano power project. We encourage applications from local governments, First Nations Bands and legally incorporated non-profit organizations serving the following communities and nearby rural areas:
COMMUNITY ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT |
The Fund will invest in community economic development projects and/or programs that are supported by the community, as long as they do not subsidize private business. |
JOB CREATION & |
Creating new jobs and enhancing existing jobs are priorities of the Fund. |
SUSTAINABLE EMPLOYMENT |
A priority of the Fund will be to support long term employment - both full time and seasonal. |
COMMUNITY INTERRELATIONSHIPS |
The Fund recognizes the value of interrelationships between communities. Consideration will be given to proposals from within the Nechako Region, Lakes District and Kitamaat Village if they demonstrate a benefit to those areas. |
CLEAR AND ACCESSIBLE |
NKDF will have policies and programs that are accessible with clearly defined evaluation criteria. |
FIRST NATIONS’ PARTICIPATION |
First Nations’ participation in the Fund will not prejudice the First Nation land claim process. |
LOCAL CONTROL |
The majority of NKDF Directors will reside in the investment area. The Board will determine the ongoing management of the Fund consistent with provincial government policy. |
BENEFITTING FUND | The Fund is intended to create benefits through sustainable community economic development. It is not intended to be compensation for those who believe themselves to have been negatively affected by the Kitimat-Kemano Project, the creation of the Nechako Reservoir or the cancellation of the Kemano Completion Project. |
COOPERATIVE VENTURES |
The Fund can be utilized in cooperative ventures along with other funding sources. |
NO DUPLICATION |
The Fund will not duplicate but may augment existing economic development programs. |
NKDF grants support projects that address one or more of the following key aspects of economic and community development in the NKDF investment area:
Infrastructure
Infrastructure that strengthens the local and regional economy and increases the ability of local business to compete in the marketplace such as airports or communications infrastructure.
Infrastructure that contributes to a healthy and economically vibrant downtown including downtown revitalization, lighting.
Infrastructure that attracts tourism and/or resident attraction including cultural infrastructure, museums, heritage sites, parks.
Recreational infrastructure that encourages resident attraction and retention, along with increased opportunities for recreation and sports tourism including trail networks, exhibition grounds, sports fields.
Infrastructure projects that improve the condition of an asset that contributes to community development including community halls.
Note: Routine maintenance and municipal projects for infrastructure for which taxes are collected, such as sewer and water are not eligible.
Planning and Research
Projects that provide the background information and pre-planning required to make decisions about future investments.
Examples: feasibility studies, market research, needs assessments, surveys, strategic plans, and tourism plans.
Note: Normally the maximum granted for feasibility studies is $5,000.
Human Development
Projects that provide skills training that enables people and organizations to increase employment, economic activity, and capacity. Types of projects include job skills training and workshops and courses for volunteers and small business owners.
For job and skills training, applications must demonstrate there is demand in the region for the acquired skills.
Marketing
Projects that support economic diversification and development of new markets, and serve to facilitate business attraction initiatives, investment attraction initiatives, resident recruitment initiatives, and visitor attraction initiatives. Types of projects include branding development, marketing campaigns, web-based strategies, digital strategies, signage.
TThe fund will not cover more than 50% of project costs. In-kind donations are acceptable at market rates and must be verifiable and documented by written commitments from donors.
Note: Ineligible costs cannot be used to leverage NKDF funds.
There are up to four deadlines per year. Please visit Proposal Deadlines for specific dates.
For grant requests under $5,000 applications are accepted on a continuous intake basis. For more information on under $5,000 requests visit
Applicants should be aware that there are reporting requirements and should be prepared to meet them.
A final project report is due one (1) month after the project is completed.
A project is considered complete when:
The Project Completion Reporting Form and Actual Project Expenses Table must be completed and all invoices for the project submitted.
Invoices and budget for the full project, not just the NKDF grant funds must be submitted.
Final payment will be issued after the Project Completion Report is reviewed.
For grants of $20,000 or more a Project Annual Follow-Up Report is due one (1) year after the final payment is issued.
Applicants will be required to complete the Annual Follow-Up Report form and report on project economic benefits.
The Government of B.C. and Alcan Inc. each contributed $7.5 million to establish the Northern Development Fund in 1999. The investment income generated from this fund supports the NKDF grants program. Each partner has one representative serving on the board of directors. The NKDF is part of the portfolio of the Minister of Jobs, Trade and Technology.
Nechako-Kitamaat Development Fund Society
Tel:: (250) 964-4066
Toll Free: (877) 478-3863
Fax: (250) 648-3875
Email:
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