Provincial fund to support jobs in B.C.’s rural communities

The B.C. Government is rolling out a new fund to support the economies of rural, remote and Indigenous communities in the province.

Premier David Eby announced Tuesday that his government is establishing the B.C. Manufacturing Jobs Fund.

“The fund will invest up to $90 million in rural communities supporting businesses with high value industrial and manufacturing projects,” Eby told a news conference in Prince George.

“These investments in rural B.C. will help create sustainable, secure, good-paying jobs.”

The funds will be distributed through grants, and Eby said they will be prioritized for businesses and companies operating in communities that need them the most, such as those affected by changes to the forestry sector.

“We are looking for projects that diversify local economies and promote forestry value-added innovation,” Eby said.

“Whether it’s a forestry company seeking new equipment to make mass timber products, or setting up a new bio-plastics or bio-fuel system in a rural community, we want to jump-start these projects.”

He added diversifying the economies of rural, remote and Indigenous communities will make them more resilient in the future.

The $90-million fund will be invested over a period of three years to support high-value projects across the province.

“In B.C., our economic advantage is our people,” Minister of Jobs, Economic Development and Innovation Brenda Bailey said.

“As our natural resource sector transitions, our government is investing in local economies to provide new opportunities that will create jobs and ensure long-lasting prosperity for people throughout our province.”

Parties interested in accessing grants through the B.C. Manufacturing Jobs Fund will be able to submit applications starting February 28, 2023. The fund will remain open for two years, or until all the money has been allocated.