BC NDP MLA Josie Osborne says funding will deliver economic diversification projects to Mid Island-Pacific Rim

TSESHAHT FIRST NATION – New Democrat MLA Josie Osborne says funding will deliver projects to people in the Mid Island and Pacific Rim regions. Local governments, First Nations and not-for-profit organizations throughout the Coast and Vancouver Island are receiving funding to promote economic diversification, clean economy opportunities and infrastructure development.

“Rural, remote, and Island communities have unique needs, and our economies operate differently than in urban centres,” said Josie Osborne, MLA for Mid Island-Pacific Rim. “These investments in our region will help people and communities to thrive with new infrastructure, resources, training, and economic opportunities.”

In Mid Island-Pacific Rim, six projects are receiving over $2.7 million in funding, including $1 million for the Tseshaht First Nation to build infrastructure to service a new business park on Tsahaheh IR 1, and $100,000 for the Hornby Island Community Economic Enhancement Organization (HICEEC) to undertake workforce housing feasibility, business planning, and related activities.

The BC NDP Government is investing up to $33 million across rural areas of the province for the second intake of the Rural Economic Diversification and Infrastructure Program (REDIP). Communities on Vancouver Island and other coastal communities will be receiving up to $12.9 million in funding for 41 approved projects from REDIP to help strengthen local economies.

In its first two years, REDIP will see as much as $99 million invested in more than 300 projects throughout rural B.C.

Building resilient economies is part of the BC NDP government’s work through the StrongerBC Economic Plan to build a strong and sustainable economy for people through clean and inclusive growth.

Learn more: https://news.gov.bc.ca/releases/2024JEDI0020-000542