$125,380.00 in Funding from NKDF for Four New Projects in Burns Lake, Vanderhoof and Fraser Lake
JUN 21, 2016

June 17, 2016 – At the May 12^th, 2016 meeting of the Nechako-Kitamaat Development Fund Society Board, Directors approved $120,680.00 in funding for three new projects. An additional $4,700.00 was approved in the under $5000 category earlier in May.

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The four projects are:

• Village of Fraser Lake was granted $15,680.00. This funding will be used to put on a two day Festival of the Arts in Fraser Lake this August.
• Freshwater Fisheries Society of BC is awarded $5,000.00 to go towards developing a business plan for the proposed Water Stewardship Centre in Vanderhoof.
• Lakes District Airport Society is approved in the amount of $100,000.00 to assist with resurfacing the Baker Airport Runway. This is the second approval for this project and in total NKDF is contributing $200,000.00 toward the project.
• The Village of Burns Lake was granted $4,700.00 toward the Burns Lake Rotary Club Cemetery Upgrade project. This funding will assist with restoring and promote two famous historical people buried in the Burns Lake Cemetery.

“The funding for these four projects demonstrates NKDF’s clear commitment to improving the quality of life for residents in the Nechako-Kitamaat area and creating sustainable communities for B.C. families,” said Shirley Bond, Minister of Jobs, Tourism and Skills Training and Minister Responsible for Labour. “Investments in runway upgrades, local arts festivals and other beneficial community projects provide significant opportunities that contribute to the betterment of our communities by creating jobs and strengthening local economies.”

Of these approvals, Gaby Poirier, General Manager of Rio Tinto’s Aluminum group in BC says, “Rio Tinto is always happy to hear about the projects in our neighbouring communities that receive support from the Nechako-Kitamaat Development Fund.  This fund is directed by local board members for local communities’ projects that are important to local residents – it is a win-win-win process.  Congratulations to the successful applicants.”

“The NKDF Board of Director’s is pleased to support these diverse projects that will continue to build on their economic future,” says NKDF Chair Wayne Salewski.

“These projects will help boost community services here in our region,” Nechako Lakes MLA John Rustad said.

The next proposal deadline is July 29th, 2016. For requests under $5000.00 NKDF accepts requests on an ongoing basis. 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 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.