July 2025 - Newsletter

In this issue

Welcome to July’s newsletter! This month we’re commemorating two proponents and their grand opening celebrations – the David Douglas Botanical Garden Society, who recently marked the opening of a new garden, and the Vancouver Island Regional Library, who will be welcoming the community to the grand opening of their new Masset Branch and Haida Language Centre in September.

I’d like to extend my heartfelt congratulations to the Top 12 Finalists in the Northern Angel Summit that were announced in late June. Of the dozen businesses that are featured on the list, we’ve supported five of them through our suite of business development programs over the years. Read on to learn more about these businesses.

Internally, we’re gearing up for our summer Board meeting, during which grants applications will be reviewed for our Community Development programs. Stay tuned for a news release in the coming weeks as we announce more investment into the region.

Until next time,

Ben

Photo: Rendering of the new Masset Branch.
Photo Credit: VIRL

Community members in Masset will soon be able to enjoy a modernized library experience at the new Masset Library and Haida Language Lab. This multi-year project, led by the Vancouver Island Regional Library (VIRL), wraps up this Fall to provide a community-focused, welcoming, and inclusive space for all community members.

Prior to the completion of the project, VIRL leased a 1,580 square foot log building to house their collections and provide a community activity space. While appreciated by patrons, the building was not compliant with 14 of the 22 minimum requirements established by VIRL for library branch locations, including non-compliance with the current BC Building Code, accessibility, lighting, and the floor’s load bearing abilities. To provide an improved and wholly inclusive atmosphere for patrons and staff, VIRL, the Village of Masset, and the Old Masset Village Council partnered to develop a next generation library and Haida Language Learning Lab to meet satisfy community and cultural needs now and into the future.

“We are thrilled with the possibility of a technology room,” wrote Chief Councillor Donal Edgars, Old Masset Village Council, after learning about VIRL’s proposed project, and before the building broke ground. “The Haida language is a language isolate, there is NO OTHER language like it in the world. It has been endangered for the past ten years… A technology centre makes sense in this community… Many families have tapes, mp3s, VHS, etc that can [be copied] for our language groups to catalogue for things like our language app, animation projects, and future film projects and language programs.”

The Haida language preservation and learning lab is nearly one-third of the 3,870 square foot building that honours Hida culture and the Masset community through vertical cedar siding and timber beams.

Photo: The former Masset Branch location.
Photo Credit: VIRL

“With the input from Masset and Old Massett, Vancouver Island Regional Library has reflected the feedback they received in the plans for this new library building, which will increase its use even further,” Said Village of Masset Mayor Sheri Disney when construction was announced. “We’re thankful and excited for this investment in our communities!”

It is anticipated that the investments into a new facility, and the relationship with the Haidia Language Learning Lab will increase annual traffic from 13,800 people to 16,560 in the first year of the library’s operations in the new building. This forecast is the result of multiple factors, including:

  • the amenities that VIRL will offer, including wi-fi, public computers, meeting rooms, Haida language preservation and learning lab
  • increased operating hours: VIRL will double the annual hours of operation from 1,020 to 2,080
  • increased program offerings: the new space will allow them to continue offering classic programs, including regular programming with Haida Elder Vern Williams, in-branch film nights, weekly story time visits to the Haida Language Office, and programming for homeschooling families. It is anticipated that 15 more program events will be added in the first year, and an additional eight program events in the second year.
  • Increased memberships: VIRL trends identify that capital projects tend to increase memberships. For the Masset Library branch location, membership is expected to increase by 20 percent in the first year.

To support the Masset and Haida communities and culture, Northern Development approved a $100,000 grant through its Cultural Infrastructure funding program.

Photo: Northern Innovation Network

While many people and businesses are enjoying the lazy days of summer, for the 12 semi-finalists of the Northern Angel Summit, it is time to hone their ten-minute pitches before delivering them to a panel of angel investors on September 8 and 9, the next step in the 10-week competition for a $100,000 investment into their start-up.

Organized by Northern Innovation Network and supported by Northern Development, Innovate BC, the Province of BC and the Government of Canada, the 2025 Northern Angel Summit is the first of an annual initiative designed to bridge the gap in early-stage capital by equipping founders and aspiring investors with the skills, resources, and network needed to navigate the capital-raising process.

Of the dozen finalists, Northern Development has already directly financially supported five businesses through either the Competitiveness Consulting Rebate (CCR) or Northern Industries Innovation Fund (NIIF):

  • Design Time (Prince George)
    2025 CCR grant: engage in strategy marketing and communications
  • Forefront Energy (Pouce Coupe)
    2024 CCR Grant: complete a comprehensive business analysis and strategy
    2024 NIIF grant: prototype finalization and testing of new technology
  • North Pacific Kelp (Daajing Giids)2023 NIIF grant: adopt new technologies for freeze drying to add new products to their food processing
     2024 CCR grant: strategy research, development and planning
  • Open Waters Solar (Prince George)
    2022 NIIF grant: development of composite solar panels
    2023 CCR grant: branding, marketing and website development
  • Prodelta Projects Inc.(Fort St. John)
    2021 CCR grant: marketing and branding
    2021 NIIF grant: digital process transformation in fieldwork data (development of new mobile application for use in the oil and gas industry)
    2022 CCR grant: develop of new process for data automation alleviating manual data entry for operational efficiency
    2024 NIIF grant: integrating AI into software for predictive modeling  to streamline operations

Through the Rural Business and Community Recovery Regional Business Liaison program, funded by the Province of BC, Northern Development provided funding to the Northern Innovation Network (formerly Hubspace) for two regional innovation liaisons for Northern B.C. These roles provide one-on-one support to business in the Northwest and Northeast overcome challenges starting, growing or thriving in the tech and innovation space. Northern Development is proud to partner with Northern Innovation Network to enable innovation and tech advancement in our region, creating a strong ecosystem of business resources and supports across the North.

Photo: From left: Lheidli T’enneh Councillor Dominic Frederick, David Douglas Botanical Garden Society President Catriona McLenna, UNBC President Dr. Geoff Payne and Lheidli T’enneh Elder Barry Seymour unveiling the name Khasdzoon Yusk’ut Botanical Garden.
All photos: David Douglas Botanical Garden Society

On June 26, 2025 the David Douglas Botanical Garden Society (DDBGS) welcomed dedicated volunteers, community members, and organizational representatives to Planting the Future: A Celebration of Growth event to mark a meaningful milestone in the life of the garden. Here, they unveiled the official name of the garden: Khasdzoon Yusk’ut, which translates to Red Maple Hill Garden in the Carrier (Dakelh) language.

“We are pleased to be able to reveal the name for the new garden which was given to the Society by the late Lheidli T’enneh Elder, Edie Frederick,” said Catriona McLenna, President of DDBGS. “This connection to the local First Nation will continue to be reflected in the future development of this garden.”

Photo: A tree was planted during the event in honour of Elder Frederick.

Elder Edie Frederick was a respected Lheildi T’enneh knowledge keeper who significantly contributed to the naming of the garden on UNBC’s Prince George campus. Elder Frederick was UNBC’s first Elder-in-Residence and DDBGS emphasized that the naming process was conducted in the spirit of respect, relationship, and belonging.

Photos: Attendees enjoy a sunny afternoon with the new passive house-visitor kiosk in the background.

Alongside celebrating the intentional and thoughtful name. the afternoon event also joyously launched the next phase of the DDBGS, a time of new growth for the garden and community. Phase 2B will focus on developing Khasdzoon Yusk’ut as place for research, education, and culture.

This next development stage builds upon the success of Phase2A, in which Northern Development invested $300,000. Sprawling over a 23-acre parcel of land near the entrance to UNBC’s main campus, the recently completed phase included the construction of a visitor kiosk, parking lot, landscaping, and much more. The visitor kiosk is a passive house demonstration building which was donated to the society and required site preparation and moving.

Khasdzoon Yusk’ut will feature a boreal garden, one of three in North America. This unique trait will draw keen gardeners, horticulturalists, and others to Prince George to appreciate the flora in person. It will also include a research garden, which will facilitate greater understanding of sustainable food production, climate change impacts, and environmental science. These features, and the advanced planning skills of the DDBGS, strongly aligns with the intent of the Cultural Infrastructure program to support the creation, or improvement, of arts, heritage, culture, and creative innovation spaces. The funding program improves access to, and quality of cultural facilities for residents and visitors.

For those looking to conduct community infrastructure projects in Atlin, Northern Development is accepting funding applications through the Atlin Capital Program until August 15, 2025.

This program supports public multi-use facilities or capital investments to community infrastructure that will provide a long-term asset to the community, create jobs, and drive revenue creation. The Atlin Capital Program will be delivered through a single call for proposals. Those interested in learning more or applying are encouraged to connect with the Atlin Community Development Officer to discuss project eligibility and for assistance with the submission process.

The Atlin Capital program represents a partnership between the Province of B.C.’s Ministry of Housing and Municipal Affairs and Northern Development who have both provided funding for this initiative.

View the funding program page

In June, we announced that Chief Leah Stump was appointed to our Board of Directors. Chief Stump is serving her third term as chief of the Nazko First Nation and has experience serving on several other Boards. Read the news release here.

Recently, CEO Ben Campbell was featured alongside outstanding company as one of Business in Vancouver’s BC500 list of influential business leaders, particularly for enhancing prosperity in the province by contributing to economic well-being and wealth creation in British Columbia. Beyond Ben’s commitment to leading the Trust, he also serves as a volunteer Community Futures Fraser Fort George and the College of Complementary Health Professionals of BC. Read BIV’s news release here.