The Northern Development Initiative Trust (NDIT) has recently approved grants for several communities across Northern and Central B.C to complete projects that range from city revitalization to rebuilding the infrastructure of local amenities. 

There are a total of eight grants approved by the NDIT. Prince George will receive $291,605 to fund renovations to the Exploration Place. Vanderhoof will acquire $168,974 to upgrade the main street lighting on Burrard Street and Valemount will receive $107,523 to replace the nonoperational ice plant at the local curling club. Terrace, Atlin, Tse’k’wa (Charlie Lake Cave), Fort Nelson and Shames Mountain Ski Hill near Terrace are the other recipients of funding from the grants. 

“Sometimes smaller communities need our help more than larger communities," said Director of Communications and Marketing for Northern Development Initiative Trust Holly Plato. “Say you have a family that does want to move to someplace like Valemount, they’re not going to want to move to a community where there is a rink that doesn’t function."

According to Census Canada, the population of  Valemount has remained stagnant, reporting a growth of only 0.1 per cent while Vanderhoof has shown a decline of 0.1  per cent from 2011 to 2016. With communities struggling to attract newcomers, investment in infrastructure and amenities can have a positive impact on local growth and economy. Plato said it is important to have attractive downtown main streets to bring new businesses into these communities while also encouraging new residents. 

Listen to the interview on CFUR FM: