News

March 8, 2019 – Government is making the largest investment in connectivity in the province’s history, with $50 million to expand high-speed internet service for people living in approximately 200 rural and Indigenous communities. “High-speed internet provides the foundation for British Columbians to access online learning and telehealth care, conduct business and be alerted in an emergency,” said Jinny Sims, Minister of Citizens’ Services. “Connectivity helps small communities grow and prosper by creating jobs, attracting new residents and enabling more …

State of the North 2018 reveals renewed strength in energy and gas sector, forestry facing challenges January 23, 2019 – For Immediate Release The second annual State of the North economic report has been released and offers insight into the current fiscal state of Northern B.C. and what is trending for the future. Highlights from the State of the North Report include: The unemployment rate in Northern B.C. has begun to trend lower, and increases in employment in the North Central, Cariboo-Chilcotin …

September 1, 2018  |  Additional grant funding is now available to help British Columbians living in rural, remote and Indigenous communities gain affordable access to high-speed internet. Local governments and First Nations have identified the high cost of infrastructure as one of the main barriers to expanding internet services in smaller communities around British Columbia. Improved internet service means more people can access high-quality education, good-paying jobs, business opportunities, health care and emergency services. As of Sept. 1, 2018, on …

July 31, 2018  |  BC Hydro is donating $70,000 to support seven Peace Region non-profit organizations through its Generate Opportunities (GO) Fund. Award recipients are providing community services and programs in support of literacy, community outreach and accessibility, seniors’ health, and arts and culture. One of the seven recipients, Fort St. John-based Northern Environmental Action Team (NEAT), received $10,000 for its NOURISH program. NOURISH works to freeze, dry or can grocery store foods that would otherwise be discarded, and then …

July 3, 2018 | Prince George, B.C. – Local governments, internet service providers and community organizations can now apply for grant funding to connect high-speed internet for British Columbians who need it the most – those living in rural, remote and Indigenous communities. “High costs are one of the main barriers to connecting communities,” said Jinny Sims, Minister of Citizens’ Services. “This funding will support last-mile projects that will help close the gap between urban and rural areas, and allow B.C.’s smaller communities …

May 29, 2018 | New Hazelton, B.C. – Renovations for a new community centre for the District of New Hazelton are set to be underway, thanks to funding support from Northern Development. The District of New Hazelton has received $215,014 in approved funding from Northern Development’s Economic Diversification Infrastructure program for a much-needed new multi-use community centre. The approved funding will go toward renovating a 7,080 square foot building into a new community centre, which will have the capacity to …

May 3, 2018 | PRINCE GEORGE – Internet service providers and other community-based organizations will soon be eligible to apply for new $16 million grant funding to improve connectivity in rural, remote and Indigenous areas in B.C., announced Jinny Sims, Minister of Citizens’ Services. Beginning July 1, 2018, applications will be accepted for projects that will deliver last-mile connections to rural and remote homes and businesses. Last-mile projects are the final connections for homes, businesses and other institutions to a …

April 20, 2018 – Prince George | Northern Development Initiative Trust announces the election of new officers to its board of directors, voted in at the annual general meeting. New board chair Gerry Thiessen was elected by the board as the new chair and is currently serving his third term as mayor of the District of Vanderhoof. Incoming chair Thiessen has been a member of Northern Development’s board for six years and the chair of the Prince George Regional Advisory …

Fort St. John. — March 21, 2018 BC Hydro is providing $48,000 in grants to support five non-profit organizations in the Peace Region through its Generate Opportunities (GO) Fund. Award recipients include programs in support of palliative care, vulnerable seniors, vulnerable youth in sport and restorative justice. One of the five recipients, the Fort St. John and District Palliative Care Society, received $10,000 to expand palliative care support in the North Peace Region. “This grant will allow the Palliative Care …

TELEGRAPH CREEK, B.C. – March 12, 2018 A critical piece of infrastructure in Telegraph Creek is getting a new lease on life thanks in part to funding from Northern Development Initiative Trust (NDIT) and the Regional District of Kitimat-Stikine (RDKS). A new dock will be built in the remote northwest community this summer, which provides a key resource for industry, tourists and residents alike who make use of the Stikine River. Thanks to more than $300,000 in funding approvals ($214,000 …

February 2, 2018 — February 2, 2018 Rural and remote communities in the North and Central Okanagan are now enjoying the benefits of a high-speed internet connection, thanks to funding from the provincial government’s Connecting British Columbia program. “British Columbians, no matter where they live, need a fast and reliable internet connection to access the services they count on and be part of the growing digital economy,” said Minister of Citizens’ Services Jinny Sims. “Our government will continue to work …

The program will support up to four paid internships in First Nations communities throughout northern B.C. from 2018 to 2020 January 17, 2018 – For Immediate Release – Prince George, B.C. A pilot project that supports First Nations government internships in northern B.C. just received a significant boost thanks to a partnership between Northern Development Initiative Trust and the Government of Canada. The Trust and the Department of Indigenous Services Canada have together committed $480,000 over the next three years …

Prince George, B.C. – January 10, 2018 – For immediate release Small businesses who participate in the Love Northern BC shop local program and the Supply Chain Connector procurement platform will now have unlimited access to educational webinars, thanks to a one-year partnership between Small Business BC and Northern Development Initiative Trust. The partnership will provide nearly 4,000 eligible businesses unlimited access to close to 300 small business webinars covering more than 40 business topics. The partnership follows a four-month …

Williams Lake/Quesnel/Ashcroft, B.C. – December 19, 2017 – For immediate release Businesses and non-profit organizations in wildfire affected communities in the Cariboo-Chilcotin/Lillooet area will soon have additional support thanks to a partnership between Northern Development Initiative Trust (NDIT), Community Futures Development Corporation (CFDC Cariboo Chilcotin, CFDC North Cariboo and CFDC Sun Country) and the Cariboo-Chilcotin Beetle Action Coalition (CCBAC). Thanks to this partnership, an Emergency Response Coordinator and Business Ambassadors will work from CFDC offices in Quesnel, Williams Lake and …

The Burns Lake Community Forest (BLCF) has been granted Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) Certification with Ecotrust Canada, a national non-profit organization. The FSC Forest Management Certification has the most rigorous forest management standards in the world. It is a voluntary market-based system available to forestry organizations who want to demonstrate responsible forest management by having their planning and practices independently reviewed by third-party auditors. The certification helps protect the people, plant and animal species that live around, and depend on, …

VANCOUVER, B.C. — Monday, November 27, 2017 The sixth annual Buy Local Week in BC kicks off today with a record number of participating communities around the province joining together to celebrate local businesses and the big impact of buying locally. “Local businesses make unique contributions to our communities and to our economy, so it is important that shoppers think about buying locally as the holiday shopping season begins,” says Amy Robinson, founder and executive director of LOCO BC, which …

Chetwynd, B.C. – Monday, November 6, 2017 The public and project supporters were all on hand this past Thursday as the District of Chetwynd celebrated the completion of their new arena upgrades. Recreation facility upgrades are always a proud moment for communities and it was no different for the District of Chetwynd as Mayor Merlin Nichols, Northern Development’s CEO Joel McKay, and representatives from the Peace River Regional District participated in the ribbon cutting ceremony for the arena. The Chetwynd …

Hazelton, B.C. – Friday, October 13, 2017 It was finally groundbreaking day for the Upper Skeena Recreation Centre in Hazelton, B.C. Northern Development’s CEO Joel McKay was on hand at the ceremony to show support for the construction of the new arena along with officials from the Province of British Columbia and the Owners Partnership Committee for the Upper Skeena Recreation Centre. The facility is envisioned as having the potential to be the primary venue to pursue sports tourism opportunities …

Burns Lake, B.C. – Monday, August 21, 2017 – For immediate release Thanks to a partnership between Northern Development Initiative Trust and the Regional District of Bulkley-Nechako (RDBN), a new Regional Agriculture Coordinator will soon be in place to provide much needed capacity to farmers in the Bulkley-Nechako region. Northern Development has approved $131,666 in funding to support a two year pilot project. The regional district is contributing support for the position as well, with additional funding exceeding $65,000. The …

Northern Development Initiative Trust and Geoscience BC have partnered on an aerial survey to identify hidden mineral potential in north central and northeastern British Columbia. Called Search Phase III, the survey will use helicopters fitted with magnetic sensors to build a better understanding of geology in the area. Once complete, project information will be made publicly available to help communities, First Nations, the resource sector and government to make informed decisions about responsible development and investment in BC. This includes …

Tuesday March 21, 2017  The Smithers Airport Terminal Modernization Project has gotten another boost in funding thanks to the commitment of $125,000 from Northern Development Initiative Trust. Northern Development’s board of directors approved the funding for the $8 million project through the Trust’s Economic Diversification Infrastructure program. The program specifically targets projects that significantly strengthen the local economy, that drive revenue and job creation through a major capital investment and provide a long-term asset for the community. The Terminal Modernization …

Barkerville, B.C. – February 9, 2017 Once winter hits, Barkerville transforms into a playground for recreational activities, and thanks to the efforts of the Barkerville Heritage Trust and Northern Development Initiative Trust you can now visit the historic town and take in a magic carpet ride. The Shamrock Lift and Tube Run is the newest activity in Barkerville where outdoor skating, backcountry snowshoeing, and sledding are already offered in the winter months. The Magic Carpet lift is a key feature …

FORT ST. JOHN – BC Hydro’s Site C project has provided $45,000 in grants to support five non-profit organizations in the Peace Region through its Generate Opportunities (GO) Fund. The $800,000 GO Fund was established in September 2016 as part of the Site C mitigation measures to help support Peace Region non-profit organizations that provide services to vulnerable populations, including children, families and seniors. This is the first time that grants have been awarded from the Fund. Recipients include: • …

LYTTON – Lytton area residents and businesses will be able to access reliable high-speed Internet following the completion of two Lytton Area Wireless Society (Lyttonnet) connectivity projects worth $624,586, which received $244,550 from the Connecting British Columbia program. Nearly 300 homes and many local companies are now better able to learn, do business, access services and stay connected through Internet speeds comparable with larger urban areas. The projects benefit the Village of Lytton, the Lytton First Nation, rural Lytton, and …

The local forest sector is harnessing opportunities to innovate thanks in part to Northern Development Initiative Trust’s Forest Innovation Fund. Within eight months of announcing the new funding program, $486,744 (97% of available 2016 funding) was approved to support the deployment of innovative technologies and new or improved products to help optimize the fibre supply in central and northern B.C. The funding was committed to 12 projects in communities throughout the region, including: Prince George, Smithers, 100 Mile House, McLeod …