Province builds partnerships with a number of Northwest communities with latest round of NDIT funding announcement

 A first round of funding through  the Northern Healthy Communities Fund today has put over 2 million dollars into a number of Northwest communities, with a range of community initiatives set to get some assistance.

Josie Osborne, the provincial Minister of Municipal Affairs noted of the building blocks for communities that the funding will provide as its delivered through the Northern Development Initiative Trust.

“People in northern B.C. know their communities best, which is why we provided $150 million over the past two years for local governments’ infrastructure priorities. Now we’re partnering with the Northern Development Initiative Trust to help First Nations, local governments and service organizations meet the needs of families in fast-growing communities. Our government is supporting the building blocks of healthy, sustainable and resilient communities by boosting the services people count on, like child care, health, mental health and addictions counselling, and small business recruitment.”

From the roster of the 16 projects to gain funding from today's announcement Terrace will host two projects, Smithers two and the Regional District of Bulkley Nechako and Regional District of Kitimat-Stikine will each receive funding for one each.  

One program for Kitimaat also was noted in todays announcement.

The remaining nine programs are found in communities east of Smithers, no funding appears to be directed towards Prince Rupert, the North Coast or Haida Gwaii in this round.

The Full list of communities/groups to gain funding from today's
announcement (click to enlarge)

Stikine MLA Nathan Cullen celebrated today's funding relay with some comments  on the supports that  the projects will provide for.

“The Northwest has experienced rapid economic growth with an increasing need for essential services. This investment from our government will expand critical services such as child care, health care, mental health and addictions counselling, supportive housing and so much more. This way we can continue to support people in our resilient and growing communities.”

You can review the background from today's announcement here.

For more notes on items of interest out of Victoria see our Legislature archive page.