In an announcement made hours before the Port's Annual meeting in Prince Rupert, the Port outlined the background to the largest contribution to date for the fund, with Lax Kw'alaams to make use of 539,400 dollars for an information technology system as well as recreation opportunities for local youth in the community.
The Smart community infrastructure program will provide a modern footprint for the computerized systems of the community, an upgrade that will mark on of the largest modernization projects in 20 years when it comes to the Information technology systems in Lax Kw'alaams.
When it is completed, residents of the community will have greater access to online education and programs, while the internal workings of the Lax Kw'alaams information network will see improved performance and enhanced security.
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| Outdoor recreation options are set to grow at Lax Kw'allams as part of a 539,000 investment through the Prince Rupert Port Authority Community Investment Fund (photo of Principal Kelly Rambeau and students at Coast Tsimshian Academy courtesy PR Port Authority/Lax Kw'alaams) |
The other project that the Port's funding will be directed towards is that of an Outdoor Leadership Adventure program for youth in the community, providing outdoor activities such as kayaking, biking and camping to families interested in participating in either organized or independent activities.
A form of the program has already been running through the Coast Tsimshian Academy, providing basic training for students and expanding to embrace any interested residents in the community. The funding through the Port Community Investment Fund will help to enhance that early work and help to make the programs grow.
You can learn more about the two projects here.
Lax Kw'alaams Mayor John Helin outlined the impact that the funding will have on his community.
“As a remote community without road access, communication infrastructure is so important to our business, education, safety and health services,” ...“Our IT systems have not been upgraded for 20 years, so improved digital connections will have tremendous impact on each and every member of our community. Likewise, new recreational equipment and programs will allow children and adults to access and explore a greater extent of our pristine territory.”
Thursday's announcement was the fifth major investment project announced this year as part of the Prince Rupert Port Authority program. Since the call for applications in mid-January a number of communities around the North Coast have received assistance for a number of projects.
Some background on past investments along the North Coast by the fund can be reviewed here.
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