Local governments, First Nations and not-for-profit organizations throughout British Columbia are receiving funding to promote economic diversification, clean-economy opportunities and infrastructure development.
“We’re partnering with rural community leaders to invest in the future of their local economies,” said Diana Gibson, Minister of Jobs, Economic Development and Innovation. “By helping fund impactful projects throughout the province, we’re supporting people and helping their communities to flourish.”
The Government of B.C is investing as much as $43 million from the third intake of the Rural Economic Diversification and Infrastructure Program (REDIP) toward more than 130 projects that will strengthen local economies, create an estimated 2,200 jobs and make a positive impact for people and communities across rural areas of the province.
In its first three years, REDIP will see as much as $142 million invested in more than 450 projects across B.C. that will create an estimated 7,000 jobs in rural areas. The ministry anticipates that additional funding opportunities for rural economic-development projects will be available this year.
Quotes:
Steve Morissette, parliamentary secretary for rural development
“Investing in local priorities is making communities stronger, more resilient and better prepared for the future. REDIP is ensuring people in every corner of the province have the tools needed for success.”
Quick Facts:
* The Rural Economic Diversification and Infrastructure Program completed three application intake periods from fiscal year 2022-23 to fiscal year 2024-25.
* A total of approximately $142 million has been allocated to 453 projects in rural communities throughout the province.
* The Forest Impact Transition stream has provided approximately $32.6 million in targeted funding to support economic recovery and diversification in affected forestry-dependent communities.
* The next intake of REDIP is expected to open in July 2025.
Below is a list of the projects funded through the 2024-25 REDIP intake, organized by economic development region for the Interior.
While the majority of funded projects are listed below, due to privacy reasons, some have not been included at this stage in the process.
- Armstrong Spallumcheen Chamber of Commerce | Armstrong Spallumcheen Chamber of Commerce Business and Community Marketing Strategy Implementation | $274,099 | Economic Diversification | For more information, please contact: Armstrong Spallumcheen Chamber of Commerce
- City Of Revelstoke | GROW Revy – Growth, Resilience, Opportunity, and Workforce | $100,000 | Economic Diversification | For more information, please contact: City of Revelstoke
- Kanaka Bar Indian Band | Must Stop Rest Stop – Phase 1 (East Side Parcel) | $1,000,000 | Economic Diversification | For more information, please contact: Kanaka Bar Indian Band
- Kicking Horse Country Chamber of Commerce | Leveraging Technology and Partnerships to Enhance the Forestry Sector and Workforce in Golden and Area A | $182,019 | Forest Impact Transition | For more information, please contact: Kicking Horse Country Chamber of Commerce
- Lower Similkameen Indian Band | Food Processing Facility at Ntamtqen Community Garden & Food Hub | $747,704 | Economic Diversification | For more information, please contact: Lower Similkameen Indian Band
- Lumby & District Chamber of Commerce | Bridge to Expand and Support Economic Capacity | $94,500 | Economic Capacity | For more information, please contact: Lumby & District Chamber of Commerce
- Shackan Indian Band | Shackan Nursery Greenhouse Systems and Capacity Development | $214,701 | Forest Impact Transition | For more information, please contact: Shackan Indian Band
- Shuswap Economic Development Society | Implementation of SEDS Investment Attraction Strategy (IAS) | $111,360 | Economic Diversification | For more information, please contact: Shuswap Economic Development Society
- Similkameen Country Development Association | Changemakers Series: Strengthening Community Development | $17,674 | Economic Capacity | For more information, please contact: Similkameen Country Development Association
- South Shuswap Chamber of Commerce | Infrastructure Recovery & Enhancement to Promote Economic Development and Tourism in the North and South Shuswap | $68,000 | Economic Diversification | For more information, please contact: South Shuswap Chamber of Commerce
