It’s hard to believe we’re at the mid-point of 2026 and there is a lot to celebrate as we dive into summer. One of the quintessential marks of summer arriving is convocation and graduations as students mark the transition from in-class learning to the next stage of their careers. Convocation 2026 was extra-special in the Campbell household as we celebrated my wife’s graduation from UNBC (featuring some commemorative 3-D printed glasses that my son made for my daughter – check them out in my LinkedIn post). These family celebrations followed our Intern Orientation at the Northern Development office where we welcomed a dozen recent graduates for training and community building over three days before they begin their 12-month internship placement.
This month’s newsletter is a great blend of fun (highlighting some signature summer festivals throughout Northern B.C.) and business (have you heard about our funding program updates that we’re undertaking this year?). Please enjoy reading, and as always, feel free to reach out to our staff if you have any questions or project ideas.
Northern Development’s Business Advisory Supports Program is helping small and medium-sized businesses across rural and remote Northern B.C. respond to tariff-related impacts, strengthen operations and create new employment opportunities. Through the program, eligible businesses can access up to $30,000 in grant funding, or up to $50,000 for more complex projects, with funding covering up to 85% of eligible project costs.
The funding is intended to improve access to professional advisory services, including business planning, legal and accounting support, management consulting, market development and other specialized expertise. Applications are accepted on a continuous, first-come, first-served basis until December 31, 2026, or until available funding has been fully allocated. Visit the Business Advisory Supports webpage for full program details, eligibility requirements and application information.
Questions about the funding program? Reach out to Jordan Barrett, manager of partner programs: jordanb@northerndevelopment.bc.ca or 250-561-2525.
Amy Beyer has always been passionate about Northern B.C., and now, as Northern Development’s newest employee and Manager of Partner Programs, she is helping to facilitate initiatives that strengthen communities across the region. With a background in working closely with post-secondary students, including administering the funding programs that contributed to their educational journeys, Amy brings extensive experience supporting people through grants and funding opportunities. We asked Amy a few questions to learn more about her career journey and what drew her to Northern Development.
Can you share a bit about your background and what brought you to the Trust?
I was born and raised in Prince George and Northern BC has always been a place that I have been proud to call home. I previously worked in various roles at UNBC for almost 15 years. The opportunity to work for Northern Development interested me because of their connection and outreach to communities in the region. The Manager, Partner Programs position strongly aligned with my previous work experience, and it felt like an exciting opportunity to branch out and grow professionally. I saw the position as a chance to deepen my understanding about the initiatives and development that are happening in the North. I am happy to be part of an organization that has a direct and positive impact on the communities I care about.
What initially drew you to non-profit economic development work in Northern B.C.?
When I first came across the opportunity to work at Northern Development, what initially interested me the most was diversity of the projects and initiatives the Trust supports. I hadn’t fully realized the scope of Northern Development’s impact across Northern B.C., and it quickly stood out as an exciting opportunity to learn more about the region’s communities, the challenges they face, and the innovative work being done to support their growth.
What part of living or working in Northern B.C. do you value most?
I enjoy raising my family in Northern B.C. The lifestyle allows me to spend lots of quality time with my kids and family, with outdoor recreation easily accessible year-round. Thanks in part to the nearby ski hills, my kids learned to ski at a young age, and I also enjoy walking the many trail systems around town. We have a camper van as well, and we love taking road trips. We camp along the way while exploring different communities, we love discovering local coffee shops and bakeries!
What keeps you motivated in your daily work?
I have always enjoyed learning new things and solving problems. I appreciate being able to contribute to a team and working in collaborative environments. Being able to see positive outcomes from my work is really rewarding.
Set against the mountain backdrop and trail networks that define the community of Mackenzie, the 2026 Rockin’ the Ridgeline Festival is once again bringing music, art and outdoor recreation together in Mackenzie. Organized through a collaboration between Mackenzie Community Arts Council (MCAC), the Mackenzie Outdoor Route and Trail Association (MORATA) and the District of Mackenzie Recreation Services, the festival has quickly become one of the community’s most anticipated summer events.
Photo: MCAC
Supported through the Fabulous Festivals and Events program, the festival received $2,500 toward its 2026 event. While Rockin’ the Ridgeline is now entering its fourth year, this marks the first time Northern Development has supported the festival directly.
“The festival was created to celebrate both the creative and outdoor culture that exists in Mackenzie” said Michelle Bobrel, president, Mackenzie Community Arts Council. “Whether someone comes for the biking, the music, the art or simply to spend time with family and friends outdoors, we wanted the event to feel welcoming, accessible and distinctly northern”
Photos: MCAC
Hosted on and around Morfee Mountain, the free, family-friendly festival blends live music, visual arts and outdoor adventure into a uniquely northern experience. Festivalgoers can enjoy mountain biking down the Ridgeline trail, hiking the Azan Tunneh trails, viewing local artwork and taking in performances from local musicians. The weekend also features a full lineup of music, food vendors, beer gardens, guided trail tours and community activities that celebrate both the creativity and natural beauty of Mackenzie.
Festivals like Rockin’ the Ridgeline help support community spirit, encourage tourism and contribute to economic diversification. By showcasing Mackenzie’s arts and outdoor recreation opportunities together, the festival continues to highlight the community as a vibrant place to live and explore.
For more than a century, the Telkwa BBQ has been bringing people together in the community for a weekend rooted in community tradition, local flavour and small-town hospitality. What began approximately 113 years ago as a simple community barbecue has grown into one of the region’s most beloved annual gatherings, drawing nearly 6,000 people to Telkwa each September long weekend to celebrate the community’s history, culture and spirit.
Photos: Bulkley Valley Kinsmen Club
Organized by the Bulkley Valley Kinsmen Club, the festival continues to evolve while staying true to its roots. Held on the grounds surrounding the Telkwa Community Hall, the event comes alive each year with outdoor concerts, artisan vendors, locally prepared food, family activities and sports tournaments. At the heart of the festival is the iconic in-ground BBQ pit, where beef roasts are slow-cooked over a long brick-lined trench filled with glowing coals and crackling firewood. Returning favourites include the 16-team slow-pitch tournament and kids’ zone and indoor dance, while the 2026 event will also introduce a pickleball tournament on the newly constructed courts located on the BBQ grounds.
“You can feel the history when you walk through the grounds during the weekend” said Lonny Wiebe of the Bulkley Valley Kinsmen Club. “From the smoke rising out of the BBQ pits to the ball games, music and laughter happening around the site, it’s a celebration that honours tradition while continuing to create new memories every year.”
Photos: Bulkley Valley Kinsmen Club
Supported through the Fabulous Festivals and Events program, the BBQ received $5,000 toward this year’s festivities. Northern Development has proudly supported the event and its infrastructure over multiple years, including funding toward upgrades to the Telkwa Community Hall kitchen— the same kitchen that continues to support food preparation and operations for the annual BBQ today.
The festival is powered largely by volunteers who work year-round to keep the long-standing tradition alive. Their efforts help create a welcoming event that celebrates local musicians, artisans, businesses and community connections while drawing visitors into the Bulkley Valley region.
The rumble of classic engines and polished chrome will once again fill the streets of Dawson Creek as the 30th Annual Summer Cruise returns in 2026. Hosted by the Mile Zero Cruisers Car Club, the three-day event has become a long-standing summer tradition, attracting vehicle enthusiasts and spectators from across British Columbia, Alberta and beyond.
Photos: Mile Zero Cruisers Car Club
Celebrating its 30th anniversary this year, the Summer Cruise has grown from a gathering of car enthusiasts into one of the region’s premier community events. The family-friendly weekend includes activities such as a poker run, community meals, an evening cruise and social events, all leading up to the signature Show ’N Shine on Sunday. Featuring more than 300 vehicles and filling downtown streets with classic cars, trucks, motorcycles and custom builds, organizers describe the event as the largest Show ’N Shine north of Prince George.
“Reaching our 30th Anniversary Summer Cruise is a huge milestone. What started as a small gathering of passionate car enthusiasts came together with a shared love of classic cars, hot rods, custom builds, and the friendships that come with them” said James Cox, club president, Mile Zero Cruisers Car Club. “That small gathering has grown into a club and community we are incredibly proud of today. Our club is about more than just cars. It’s about friendships, memories, family, and the stories we’ve shared over the last three decades. It’s become a tradition that spans generations, and we’re honoured to keep the Mile Zero Cruisers legacy rolling forward each year.”
Photos: Mile Zero Cruisers Car Club
Northern Development has proudly supported the Summer Cruise for more than a decade, including $5,000 from the Fabulous Festivals and Events program for this year’s 2026 event. Beyond showcasing remarkable vehicles, the Summer Cruise attracts thousands of visitors to Dawson Creek each year, showcasing local businesses, heritage sites and community spaces while encouraging attendees to spend the weekend exploring the city, dining at local restaurants and shopping at local retailers. By drawing visitors from across Western Canada, the event generates economic activity for local businesses, supports tourism and helps strengthen Dawson Creek’s local economy.
Driven by volunteers and a shared passion for vehicles, the Summer Cruise continues to bring generations together through a common love of automotive culture. Thirty years after the first event, it remains a celebration of the people who keep both traditions and engines running strong.
Photos: Mile Zero Cruisers Car Club
“Here’s to 30 great years — and many more to come.“
Before heading out to communities across Northern B.C., the 2026 Intern cohort gathered in Prince George for a three day orientation to prepare them for the year ahead.
The Internships program is Northern Development’s flagship capacity building initiative, providing recent graduates with paid, hands-on experience working in local and First Nation governments throughout the Trust’s service region. This year, 12 interns will spend the next 12 months working in communities across Northern B.C., building practical skills while supporting projects and initiatives in their host communities.
During the orientation, interns learned about Northern Development, local government operations and what to expect in their new roles. Staff from the Trust shared insights about their work, while former interns returned to offer advice and reflections from their own experiences through their current professional roles. In fact, nearly 70 per cent of this year’s presenters were internship alumni, demonstrating the strong network that has grown around the program over the years.
Since launching in 2009 with a trio of participants, the Internship program has grown significantly. The 2026 cohort brings the total number of placements to 161, with many former interns continuing their careers in all levels of Indigenous, local, provincial and federal government.
Administered in partnership with municipalities, regional districts and First Nations, the program helps communities build capacity while giving graduates the experience, mentorship and professional connections needed to launch their careers. As the newest cohort heads to their host communities, they join a growing network of alumni helping shape the future of Northern B.C. communities.
Northern Development is introducing a series of program updates to ensure our funding opportunities continue to be responsive to the evolving needs of communities, businesses and industries across Northern B.C.
These changes include program refinements, retirements and new approaches designed to improve accessibility, strengthen alignment with our economic development mandate and support informed decision-making. As regional priorities, development realities and funding landscapes continue to change, these updates will help ensure our programs remain relevant and effective in supporting northern communities.
Additional updates are being finalized throughout 2026, to take effect in the 2027 funding year. Visit the Program Updates page on our website for the latest information on program changes, timelines and implementation details.
