Local governments, First Nations and not-for-profit organizations in the Kootenay and Boundary regions will receive funding to promote economic diversification, clean-economy opportunities and infrastructure development, the Ministry of Jobs, Economic Development and Innovation announced April 20.

Several local organization and government projects will receive funding.

The Government of B.C is investing as much as $33 million across rural areas of the province for the second intake of the Rural Economic Diversification and Infrastructure Program (REDIP). Communities in the Kootenay and Boundary regions will receive as much as $2.8 million for 10 approved projects from REDIP to help strengthen local economies.

“Rural communities throughout B.C. have told us which projects are the most important for growing and diversifying their local economies and we’re helping them get those projects off the ground,” said Brenda Bailey, Minister of Jobs, Economic Development and Innovation. “Community leaders work tirelessly to build vibrant, inviting communities, and we are proud to support them.”

Located in Kimberley, the Kootenay Outdoor Recreation Enterprise Society (KORE) is an outdoor-recreation technology-focused organization that serves as a vital network hub for the Kootenays. It emphasizes collaboration and development opportunities, tailored strategies, mentorship and support for local gear manufacturers and designers.

KORE is receiving approximately $450,000 to advance the cluster of outdoor-gear manufacturers and product designers in the Kootenays and to conduct a feasibility study for Re-Hub, a textile upcycling facility dedicated to advancing the circular economy, with a potential to advance research opportunities and industry partnerships at the forefront of a clean-growth opportunity, affecting sustainable change across the entire industry.

KORE also received nearly $50,000 through the first intake of REDIP for its sector survey and engagement roundtables to assess the needs and opportunities within the outdoor-recreation technology (rec-tech) sector in the Kootenays.

“Through the REDIP funding, KORE will now be able to become a leader as the outdoor rec-tech sector connector, not only for the Kootenay region but also for British Columbia, and to advance the supporting ecosystem,” said Kevin Pennock, executive director, Kootenay Outdoor Recreation Enterprise Society.

“KORE’s vision to become Canada’s most recognized region for outdoor gear circularity through the development of the Re-Hub program is now a reality because of this REDIP financial contribution.”

Also receiving funds locally:

Akisqnuk First Nation: Economic Development Capacity for the ʔakisq̓ nuk First Nation Community – $100,000.

Cranbrook Archives, Museum and Landmark Society:  Transition Visitor Experience Development Project (VED) – $403,649.

Fernie Chamber of Commerce: A Business Case for Building Workforce Housing in Fernie – $100,000.

Regional District of East Kootenay: Wycliffe Regional Park Campground Development – $518,223.

Wildsight’s Fire to Food Program: Linking wildfire mitigation and agriculture into the growth of a localized circular economy – $100,000.

Communities can receive REDIP funding through three streams:

Economic diversification – Projects that plan or implement programs, services and infrastructure to support economic development and diversification in communities with populations of 25,000 or less (maximum funding: $1 million).

Economic capacity – Projects that build local capacity and improve the ability to support economic development and diversification in communities with populations of 2,500 or fewer (maximum funding: $100,000).

Forest impact transition – Projects that support economic recovery and diversification in affected forest-dependent communities (maximum funding: $500,000).

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