May 4, 2026 – Prince George
The Northern Development Board of Directors has approved funding for nine projects during its second meeting of 2026, representing a $1.39 million investment into communities across Northern B.C. The approved projects reflect a continued demand for funding that helps communities move priority projects forward, with investments supporting a multitude of sectors such as housing, infrastructure and recreation.
The projects approved at the recent meeting are:
City of Prince Rupert -$180,000 for the Prince Rupert Heritage Rail Zone Revival – Kwinitsa Station to support the relocation and restoration of the historic Kwinitsa Station Museum, transforming an underused stretch of the downtown waterfront into a vibrant arrival hub for VIA Rail and cruise ships passengers, elevating visitor experiences and celebrating the community’s rail history.
City of Terrace – $125,000 for The Benchmark 4204 Sparks Street that will rehabilitate a 48-unit apartment building, supporting the full reconstruction of a long-vacant property, restoring safe, code-compliant housing and returning much-needed rental units to the community’s housing supply.
City of Williams Lake – $152,199 for Williams Lake Golf and Tennis Club Forward Tees to support the addition of new forward tee boxes, improving course accessibility and playability while enhancing overall efficiency and creating a more inclusive experience for golfers of all ages and skill levels.
District of Fort St. James – $300,000 for the Cottonwood Marina Revitalization project to support the replacement of deteriorated pilings and installation of a new breakwater system, restoring safe moorage conditions, protecting infrastructure and improving a key recreational asset for residents and visitors.
District of Fort St. James – $48,896 towards Spirit Square Park Downtown Revitalization to invest in transforming a central downtown space into a safer, more accessible and vibrant community gathering place that encourages events and strengthens the downtown core.
District of Vanderhoof – $180,606 for Airport Runway Expansion Turn Pads to improve safety and accessibility for larger aircraft, bettering economic opportunities and supporting essential services such as medevac, wildfire response and search and rescue operations.
Esk’etemc First Nation – $164,844 grant for Powwow Arbour Washroom Facility, the construction of a new permanent washroom facility at the Esk’etemc Powwow Arbour will support safe, accessible and high-quality community and cultural gatherings, increasing the usability of this important event space for residents and visitors.
McBride Big Country Snowmobile Association – $141,911 towards the Renshaw Snowmobile Trail System Revitalization will support the installation of a new bridge to restore access to the Renshaw riding area, helping re-establish year-round recreational access in the Robson Valley.
Town of Smithers – $100,000 for Parkside Patio Homes to incentivize the development of ten ground-oriented, two bedroom units, increasing housing options for seniors and small households while enabling aging-in-place and contributing to a more balanced and accessible housing supply in the community.
Quotes:
Ben Campbell, CEO, Northern Development
“These approvals reflect the continued focus we’re seeing from communities across Northern B.C. on strengthening the places where people come together. Whether it’s upgrading recreational facilities, revitalizing downtown spaces or improving shared infrastructure, these projects are about creating spaces that support connection, activity and day-to-day life. At the Trust, we’re seeing a strong demand for investments that help communities maintain and improve these hubs, and we’re pleased to support projects that will have lasting value for residents and visitors alike.”
Rick Shaffer, vice president, McBride Big Country Snowmobile Association
“Losing access to the Renshaw area was a major setback for our club and for the community, especially in McBride where winter tourism matters. Replacing the bridge allows us to restore that access and start seeing riders return over time. It also gives us a better foundation to manage and maintain the trail system going forward. The focus here is on making sure the infrastructure is in place to support long-term use.”
Rob Yaworski, general manager, Williams Lake Golf & Tennis Club
“We are incredibly grateful for this investment in our facility. The addition of forward tees will make the game more accessible and enjoyable for golfers of all ages and abilities, helping us grow participation and strengthen our connection to the community and is an improvement that responds directly to what we’ve been hearing from players. Adding forward tees gives people more options and makes the course more playable without changing its overall character. It also helps with pace of play, which benefits everyone using the course. Support like this helps turn a well-identified need into something we can actually deliver.”
