NDI Trust Funds Four Regional Projects
By 250 News
In addition to funding the first project under its Pine Beetle Recovery Program, the Northern Development Initiative Trust has approved four smaller-scale projects for the region.
Earlier this week, the Trust announced a $750-thousand dollar grant to GeoScience BC for a mineral mapping survey of a corridor running from Williams Lake to north of Mackenzie. (click here for complete story)
At a recent meeting in Prince George, the NDI Trust’s Board of Directors also approved funding requests from the District of Kitimat, the Skidegate Band Council, the Interlakes Snowmobile Club in the Cariboo, and the District of 100 Mile House.
- Kitimat will receive a $30-thousand dollar grant and a $1.62-million dollar loan towards a retrofit project at the Sam Lindsay Memorial Pool. According to the request, the project has been identified as a key component to Kitimat’s economic development strategy - with the goal of attracting major sporting events.
- The Skidegate Band Council has been approved for a $500-thousand dollar loan for the Qay'llnagaay Heritage Centre, with the aim of improving the cultural facility and increasing tourism on the Queen Charlotte Islands.
- The Interlakes Snowmobile Club plans to use its $10-thousand dollar grant to purchase a wide-track snowmobile for grooming the trail system, with an eye to attracting snowmobilers from outside the Cariboo and boosting tourism.
- The District of 100 Mile House will receive a little more than $24-thousand dollars towards refurbishing the historic Martin Exeter Hall - increasing its capacity to host events and generating service sector revenues in 100 Mile House.
To date, the NDI Trust has committed $31.7-million dollars in funding to projects totalling $199.8-million dollars. In its July newsletter, the Trust says current project leveraging is 630% - well above its goal of one Trust dollar for every $2.50 from other sources.
As of the end of May, the Trust's balance was $201.9-million dollars.
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Posted by: trueblue2 on July 13 2007 1:45 PM
I really did not think that was the purpose of the fund. When is it going to fund some projects which will enhance the economic outlook of the north?
Then again, maybe we should just accept the fact that this is what the fund is being used for and begin to ask for dollars to fund cultural projects in PG.
Maybe they could even fund some air quality work which will make a difference to PG and make it more inviting for people to come here and stay here. It appears that neither the MoE nor the City have sufficient funds to do this.