At the first Board meeting of the new funding cycle, NKDF Board of Directors approved $55,000 in grants for four new projects.
The District of Vanderhoof received a grant of $15,000 to upgrade the emergency lighting at the airport. The Vanderhoof airport plays a critical role in connecting the region to the rest of the province including serving as an access point for medical transport and firefighting services. Upgrades to the emergency lighting will ensure there are no interruptions to services.
The Vanderhoof Menshed Society received $15,000 to upgrade the building façade at the Menshed storefront and workshop on Burrard Street. The Menshed space brings together men who might otherwise be isolated and marginalized and connects them in a supportive and meaningful way. An activity-based organization, together the members work on community-inspired projects such as building picnic tables, sheds, docks, wheelchair ramps, and refurbishing household items and making them saleable.
$15,000 was granted to the Nechako Valley Exhibition Society to assist with putting on the 2022 Exhibition. After a two-year hiatus due to the pandemic, the Exhibition Society will host a family-friendly Exhibition that builds community. A true agricultural Fair, regional agricultural producers will be showcased, and the achievements of the 4-H clubs celebrated. Additionally, there will be a family fun zone with mechanical bulls, water walking balls and paddle boats. The Exhibition will take place in Vanderhoof August 19-21.
The Nechako Valley Exhibition Society also received $10,000 for the 2022 Agricultural Learning Series. The Exhibition Society will host a variety of workshops including beekeeping, blacksmithing, beef cattle production, and food preservation. The offered courses reflect industries and lifestyles still prevalent in the region and are designed to help to connect increasingly urbanized youth with the agricultural roots and heritage of their community, placing an emphasis on learning and development in local, sustainable, and self-sufficient crafts and trades. Workshops will be held throughout July.
Quotes
Ravi Kahlon, Minister of Jobs, Economic Recovery and Innovation
“I want to thank the Nechako-Kitamaat Development Fund Society board and volunteers for their advocacy and hard work throughout the pandemic and their continued dedication and commitment to rebuilding vibrant, resilient communities. Our government, through our StrongerBC Economic Plan, will always be here to support communities to build strong, vibrant and diverse economies in rural B.C.”
Andrew Czornohalan, Director Power and Projects at Rio Tinto’s BC Works
"NKDF funding supports the livelihood of communities in the Nechako Watershed. The proposed projects will provide learning and development resources for long term sustainability and critical services to support health and wellbeing. It is exciting to see the funding used to welcome events back to the area and encouraging tourism and economic progress in the region after COVID-19."
Cindy Shelford, Nechako-Kitamaat Development Fund Society Chair
"We are pleased to be supporting this variety of projects that contribute to both economic and community development. It is gratifying to see communities organizing events that contribute to tourism and provide social and recreational opportunities that have been sorely missed over the past two years."
For grant requests under $5,000 applications are accepted on a continuous basis with a two-week response time. For requests over $5,000 the next application deadline is July 29, 2022.
For more information, please visit http://www.nkdf.org/
To the Board Members of the Nechako Kitamaat Development Fund Society, On behalf of the Burns Lake Mountain Biking Association (BLMBA) it is an honour to have this opportunity to try to articulate adequately what...