At the March 18th, 2015 meeting of the Nechako-Kitamaat Development Fund Society Board in Vanderhoof, the Board of Directors approved funding for six new projects, bringing the year-to-date total amount approved across the NKDF investment area to $531,005.00.
The six (6) newly approved projects are:
- Burns Lake Mountain Biking Association is granted $125,000.00 toward the construction of 10.0 kilometers of new machine-built trail, including a wall ride.
- Lakes District Fall Fair is awarded $26,222.00 toward the Parking and Washroom Upgrade project. With this funding LDFF will create a parking area designated for livestock trucks and trailers and upgrade the washrooms.
- Nechako Valley Sporting Association will receive $35,000.00 to go toward the purchase of LED light heads and wiring materials to upgrade the ski trail lighting.
- St. Luke’s Church on the Lake is approved for $15,000.00 to renovate the St. Luke’s Church on the Lake to create a safe viable venue to host events.
- Saik’uz First Nation will get $40,000.00 to go toward building a park that will commemorate survivors and their families of those who attended Indian Residential Schools.
- Nechako Valley Search and Rescue will receive $61,678.00 toward the renovation of a building to create a Search and Rescue training facility.
"The grants that have been approved will be put to good use by organizations in the Nechako and Kitimat regions," Minister of Jobs, Tourism and Skills Training and Minister Responsible for Labour Shirley Bond said. "From the purchase of LED lights, to parking and building upgrades, these projects will make a difference."
Rio Tinto Alcan’s Kevin Dobbin, Manager of External Relations, Communities and Media said, “Rio Tinto Alcan is very glad that the Nechako-Kitamaat Development Fund continues to provide support to community initiatives that work toward sustainability, but also address community needs in many positive ways. We look forward to continuing our participation with NKDF and assisting community organizations to meet their goals”
NKDF Chair Wayne Salewski said, "The NKDF Directors are honoured to be able to provide funding assistance to the Nechako and Lakes communities throughout the NKDF benefiting area.”
“These investments will help bolster community services here in our region,” Nechako Lakes MLA John Rustad said. “By enhancing these services, the Nechako-Kitamaat Development Fund Society is helping to improve the quality of life in our region.”
The next proposal deadline is July 29th, 2015.
For more information on past projects funded throughout the NKDF investment area please visit http://www.nkdf.org/.
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 Alcan. The Fund’s investment area includes lands impacted by the original Kemano project and focuses on those communities in the Ootsa, Lakes, Nechako and Haisla regions of the north.
The Society encourages applications from local 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.
