NKDF grants $185,761.00 for New Projects in Burns Lake and Vanderhoof
DEC 20, 2016

December 20, 2016 – At the November 29^th, 2016 meeting of the Nechako-Kitamaat Development Fund Society Board, Directors approved $177,785.00 in funding for three new projects.

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The three new projects are:

• Burns Lake Mountain Biking Association was granted $100,000.00 to construct 5km of new upper intermediate downhill trail over the next 3 years in addition to developing a beginner boardwalk loop with intermediate and advanced options.
• Lakes District Fall Fair Association was awarded $37,785.00 towards improvements at the Fall Fair Grounds.
• Burns Lake Health-Care Auxiliary Lakes District Senior Housing Association was approved funding in the amount of $40,000.00 to assist with completing inside components (including plumbing and electrical and finishing work) required for expansion of the Thrift Store.

Two additional projects were recently approved in the under $5000.00 category:

• Nechako Community Arts Council was granted $2,976.00 for the Arts Take Wing project which includes purchasing pottery and wood carving equipment and hardware to exhibit local works of art in the Arts Wing to be located in the new Vanderhoof recreation building.
• Burns Lake Mountain Biking Association was approved funding in the amount of $5000.00 for trail development. As a part of this project BLMBA will partner with the school district’s local high school, Lakes District Secondary School and its Project Trails initiative.

Shirley Bond, Minister of Jobs, Tourism and Skills Training and Minister Responsible for Labour says, “The Nechako-Kitamaat community will benefit greatly from the strategic investments announced by NKDF this morning. Upgrades to the park, the trails, fairgrounds and the thrift store all serve to improve the lives of the people who call this community home. Funding for these programs is essential for us to move forward to improve our community infrastructure and create thriving gathering places where youth, families and adults can connect with the outdoors and each other.”

Kevin Dobbin Communications & Communities, Manager Rio Tinto BC Works says, “Rio Tinto would like to acknowledge the many organizations that put time and resources into their community over the past year. Economic development in our local communities helps to build sustainable communities and better places to live and raise families. We are proud of our involvement and the support Nechako Kitamaat Development Fund offers to communities and projects such as the ones announced today.”

Of these funding approvals John Rustad, MLA for Nechako Lakes says, “The projects that the NKDF have chosen to fund are a great asset to the community. Each project encourages positive community engagement and provides opportunities to stay active and explore all that the Burns Lake area has to offer.”

 “NKDF is very pleased to again support these diverse and regionally important applications that work towards the betterment of the communities within the benefiting area says NKDF Chair Wayne Salewski.

The next proposal deadline is February 1st, 2017. For requests under $5000.00 NKDF accepts requests on continuous 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.