BC Government launches latest intake for Rural Dividend program

If the City of Prince Rupert and other communities of the Northwest want to get on the listings of successful applicants for the BC Rural Dividend Program, they will want to make sure that they have their paperwork ready to go for next week, as the British Columbia Government opens up the application process for the fourth intake of the program.

The government initiative offers single applicants up to $100,000 for community driven projects, with those applicants required to contribute at least 20 per cent of the total project cost.

Should they work in partnership with other eligible applicants, they can apply for up to $500,000 in funding contingent on payment of 40 percent of the total project cost.

Doug Donaldson, the Minister of Forests, Lands, Natural Resource Operations and Rural Development made the announcement yesterday of the upcoming application window, which will take place from November 15th to December 15th.

“I encourage local governments, not-for-profit organizations and First Nations to get their applications submitted,”  ... “We’re committed to action that will strengthen rural economies and provide jobs in rural communities.”

Projects that will be eligible for the funding opportunities, will be assessed and approved based on the following criteria:

Rural communities most in need 
Improved community resiliency and economic strength 
Partnership building and enhanced shared prosperity 
Project feasibility and sustainability 
Economic impact on rural communities 
Attracting and retaining youth 
Innovation in economic development

The key to success for any community, or organization is to have a well defined plan, the required cash to provide for the contribution commitment and to have the paper work properly filled out and submitted before the end of the thirty day application period.

The most recent Rural Dividend announcements of October provided for a list of successful applications, with the City of Prince Rupert making note of the funding they have received which will be put towards the Redesign Rupert initiative in the community.

Our notes on the other communities and organizations set to receive funding from the program can be examined below:

Young entrepreneurs to benefit from Provincial funding
Port Edward Historical Society benefits from rural dividend funding
Second wave of provincial funding this week directs money to Prince Rupert, Haida Gwaii

You can learn more about the provincial program from the BC Rural Dividend Website, the announcement of the upcoming application period can be reviewed here.

More notes related to provincial government initiatives and the proceedings at the Legislature can be found on our archive page.