$40,066 for new projects in Vanderhoof and Kitimat
OCT 4, 2021

Nechako-Kitamaat Development Fund Society announced today that the Board of Directors approved $40,066 in funding for four new projects as follows:

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• The Tamitik Status of Women Association was granted $30,000 to assist with construction of the 24-Hour Daycare with Immersive Indigenous Cultural Programming. This pilot project is the first 24-hour childcare in the province and will allow parents, in particular single, female-led households, to access work that requires unconventional hours. The childcare facility will be immersed in Indigenous culture, an initiative guided by Haisla Nation.
• The Vanderhoof Chamber of Commerce was awarded $2,500 for the We Are Open campaign to assist local businesses with the COVID-19 Economic Recovery by  encouraging community members to shop local.
• The Nechako Valley Sporting Association received $4,000 for the Machine Shed project.  These funds will go towards building a shed to house grooming machinery and equipment needed to maintain the 12km of ski trails throughout the winter. 
• Nechako Valley Exhibition Society was awarded $3,566 for the Equipment Repair project. These funds will assist with repairing and ensuring the safety and reliability of the Bobcat needed for maintaining the facilities, preparation for events, snow plowing and, the movement of RVs into buildings for winter storage.

Ravi Kahlon, Minister of Jobs, Economic Recovery and Innovation says, “These projects will help provide new amenities and programs to support people and businesses in the Kitimat and Vanderhoof areas. As we recover from the pandemic, these are more examples of how by working together, the Nechako-Kitamaat Development Fund Society is building stronger communities and improving the quality of life for people in northwestern B.C.” 

Rio Tinto general manager, Affonso Bizon noted, “Rio Tinto is proud to see the positive economic benefits across the region this fund has offered in the past and present supporting community interests.”

NKDF Chair Cindy Shelford says, “On behalf of the Board of Directors we are proud  to support these local initiatives that enhance our region and support jobs, small business and recreation opportunities for the residents of our communities.”

The next application deadline is October 20, 2021. For more information, please visit http://www.nkdf.org/  For requests under $5,000 applications are accepted on a continuous basis.

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.