Cloudberry Trail, Lax Kw'alaams Fish Plant, Gitmaxmak'ay Food Security program among regional investments for Provincial funding today

The province of British Columbia has announced a round of rural funding for a number of projects in the North Coast region, with a local trail project in Prince Rupert among those to receive some cash for their plans.

$669,999.00 has been awarded for the Cloudberry Trail project in Prince Rupert

The project received some initial funding last summer, with an update on its progress delivered the fall of 2022. 

At that time, the Kaien Island Trail Enhancement Society had noted that the initial stage of the trail would run from the Civic Centre complex to near the old BC Hydro site along highway 16.

Other investments of note for the North Coast region 

$1,000,000.00 is being directed towards Implementation of a Fish Offal Reduction Facility at the Lax Kw’alaams Fish Plant, Lax Kw’alaams

$600,000.00 has also been allocated to the Gitmaxmak'ay Local Food Economy Upgrades and Diversification program

North Coast MLA Jennifer Rice observed on the various uses of the funding from this round:

"The projects supported through the REDIP will make a real impact in diversifying local economies in Indigenous and rural communities across the North Coast. 

I am also pleased to see that many of the projects funded will support the revitalization of Indigenous art, tourism, and wellness in First Nation communities." 

The North Coast is receiving $5,457,046.40 as part of the Rural Economic Diversification and Infrastructure Program (REDIP) to promote economic diversification, clean economy opportunities and infrastructure development in rural B.C

The remainder of the 5.4 million in funding is directed as follows:

Gitga'at First Nation’s Emergency Response and Research Facility (MERRF) 

$1,000,000.00 Expansion of Haida Tourism in Gaw Tlagee   

$1,000,000.00 iit'l gudaad - "We Remember" Haida Heritage Plaza - $669,999.00 

Phase Two $576,175.00 Kelp and Shellfish Hatchery Integration and Upgrade Planning Project $100,000.00 Regional Economic Development Strategy Development 

$100,000.00 The Haida Lodge at Kay L’lnagaay 

$99,230.40 Sta’la Riverside Restaurant Turn Key Project - $311,642.00

The full list of recipients BC Wide can be reviewed from the BC government statement released today.

More notes on themes from the Legislature can be reviewed from our archive page.