$769,680 for Vancouver Island west coast projects from B.C. rural dividend program

$769,680 for Vancouver Island west coast projects from B.C. rural dividend program
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The province announced Tuesday the District of Tofino is being awarded $500,000 to complete the design of the first phase of an affordable housing project, and to design 50 units of workforce housing. Photo courtesy Tofino-Long Beach Chamber of Commerce.

The province announced Tuesday the District of Tofino is being awarded $500,000 to complete the design of the first phase of an affordable housing project, and to design 50 units of workforce housing. Photo courtesy Tofino-Long Beach Chamber of Commerce.

Multiple projects on the west coast of Vancouver Island are getting a boost of funding from the provincial rural dividend program.

Mid Island-Pacific Rim MLA Scott Fraser announced $769,680 will be divided between the District of Tofino, the Alberni Valley Chamber of Commerce (AVCC) and the Clayoquot Biosphere Trust Society (CBTS) for affordable housing, business, and tourism projects.

Tofino is being awarded a half-million dollars to complete the first-phase design of an affordable housing project and to create 50 units of workforce housing on property owned by the district.

The work will be done with the help of the Tofino Bible Fellowship and Tofino Housing Corporation.

The CBTS will receive $202,580 for education-tourism product development and market expansion, in partnership with local organizations and institutions.

There will be $67,000 going to entrepreneurial training for business owners in the Alberni Valley to help create workshops, a women’s business forum and a series of other events for young professionals.

The province says the dividend grants help fund projects to stabilize rural economies, with $8 million going to 58 project grants.

Grants can be up to $100,000 each, or up to $500,000 each for partnership initiatives.

Andy NealAndy Neal

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