LATEST NEWS

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 5, 2018 | FORT ST. JOHN BC Hydro has appointed Northern Development Initiative Trust as the financial administrator of its Peace Agricultural Compensation Fund. The $20-million fund, launched earlier this year, supports agricultural priorities, such as production and economic activity, in the Peace Region. The fund reflects BC Hydro’s recognition of the role agriculture plays in the Peace River region and the potential effects of the Site C project on agriculture. The Northern Development Initiative Trust was selected through a …

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 …

August 27, 2018  |  The Smithers Regional Airport officially opened their new departure lounge, the most visible aspect of the Smithers Regional Airport Terminal Modernization Project. The new departure lounge seats 118 passengers allowing larger planes or multiple planes to utilize the airport facilities. There are new fully accessible washrooms in the departure lounge and, as part of the larger modernization project, in the terminal’s main lobby. Further improvements include upgrades to the heating, ventilation, air conditioning and fire suppression …

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 30, 2018 | Prince George, B.C. – The Village of Queen Charlotte celebrated the grand opening of the Queen Charlotte Boat Launch Improvement Project today, thanks in part to $250,000 in funding support from Northern Development. As the only boat launch south of Port Clements on Graham Island, improvements to the boat launch were much-needed to ensure safe usage for locals and tourists. Previously built for airplane use, the existing boat ramp design was a basic black top extending …