BC Rural Dividend grant supports Ashcroft Indian Band

The Voice of Canada News:

The Ashcroft Indian Band will be able to provide upgraded services for tourists exploring Thompson-Nicola country, thanks to a $464,948 grant from the Province.

“The special circumstances provision of the Rural Dividend was specifically designed to assist communities undergoing economic hardship, such as those impacted by wildfire,” said Doug Donaldson, Minister of Forests, Lands, Natural Resource Operations and Rural Development. “This project will provide jobs and attract tourism dollars to support communities and families in the region.”

The funds will be used to construct a campground in the community, update existing washroom and shower facilities to make them more accessible, and renovate the office to include a concession.

“This is exciting news for the Ashcroft Indian Band. The Rural Dividend grant will be a huge economic opportunity for our community for years to come,” said Chief Greg Blain. “We plan on renovating the building that has been vacant for years and building a beautiful campground to work along with our new ball fields.”

This fall, $3,281,179 in special circumstance funding has been awarded to eligible B.C. communities and organizations undergoing economic hardship.

As part of Budget 2018, the Government of British Columbia committed to extending the $25-million per year Rural Dividend to 2020-21. The Rural Dividend is one aspect of government’s rural development mandate, which is committed to making rural communities more resilient.