The BC government has announced plans to bolster its rural development programs.

Jobs Minister Brenda Bailey, speaking at Tk’emlúps this morning, says the province is going to provide up to $66-million into its Rural Economic Diversification and Infrastructure program.

“By doubling this year’s funding, we are able to help more communities, and I am thrilled to report today that over 200 projects from this intake of REDIP have received funding.”

Part of the funding, includes $4.2 Million set to go towards 17 projects in the Thompson Nicola region.

“Including renovating a vacant grocery store, in downtown Barriere to create a community business hub, hiring a community development coordinator in Cache Creek and the project that brings us here today, increasing capacity and mentorship for the Tk’emlúps te Secwepemec Development Corporation, which will enhance the corporations ability to act on economic opportunities.”

The project approved at Tk’emlúps includes a $100,000 grant aimed to mentor and teach best practices when it comes to Indigenous economic development and First Nations land development.

“We welcome the additional funding that the Province of B.C. has confirmed today,” Tk’emlúps Kukpi7 Rosanne Casimir said.

“Our vision is to responsibly develop our lands in a progressive and sustainable manner, while building a financial legacy and assisting our community in working towards economic sovereignty. This funding will be used to add a much-needed role to the area of land development.”

Casimir says while the money is small, short term investment,  she explains it will help bring long term gains for Indigenous economic development in the community.

She adds it will also work in alignment with their existing and current laws in place, to support economic growth moving forward.

“It’s going to be funds that we’re going to be able to utilize towards building an economic book of best practices that we have for our lands, leasing and taxation, to be able to support those who want to come and do business here on our reserve land,” explained Casimir.

“We do have an existing one with our lands department, but we also need to have and build on one for economic development department; so that is really good to be able to showcase the different parcels of land that we have, what its usage is best for and for individuals to be able to take that upon themselves to see how they could participate.”

Casmir says the hope with this funding is to rapidly speed up some of the economic endeavors within the next five years.

“That is really going to be able to showcase the different parcels of land that we have, what it’s usage is best for and for individuals to be able to take that upon themselves to see how they can participate.”

Currently, Casimir says there are 230 acres of reserve land available for lease, partnerships, and economic opportunities, which she is hoping to have developed.

“If the land was developed, it is going to mean a lot of different employment opportunities, it is going to mean not only for our membership but also for everyone that lives in the area. It is also going to attract more people to want to come to Kamloops and is also going to attract entrepreneurial opportunities for our membership as well.”

She says an investment opportunity she would be happy to see is a hotel, which would help identify the needs of the City of Kamloops and Tk’emlúps.

You’ll find a full list of approved projects here.