Through the B.C. Rural Dividend program, the Village of Port Alice is getting $498,885. The funds will be used for improvements to the municipally owned marina. Photo courtesy portalice.ca.
The effort to increase tourism in Port Alice is getting a nearly half-million dollar boost from the province.
The village is getting $498,885 under the B.C. Rural Dividend program for improvements to the municipally owned marina.
A provision in the dividend program was designed to assist communities going through economic hardship, such as losing a primary employer.
Port Alice was hit hard in 2015 with the closure of the Neucel Specialty Cellulose pulp mill in 2015, which put more than 400 people out of work.
“This is incredible news for the Village of Port Alice. It opens the door for a tourism aspect that shadows the three-year curtailment of our pulp mill, Neucel Cellulose,” Port Alice Mayor Jan Allen said in a release.
“Our population has decreased in the past three years. Currently, our bank is only open two days a week, and our stores are struggling to keep their doors open. If we build, they will return – to the ‘Gateway of the West Coast’, the incredible gem of the Village of Port Alice.”
“The economy of Port Alice has been struggling since the closure of the Neucel mill,” North Island MLA Claire Trevana said.
“These funds will assist the village in its efforts to increase tourism.”
The marina improvements include adding power and a new building for a food kiosk, washrooms and an office for the marina manager.
The upgrades are an effort for Port Alice to attract tourists for activities that include fishing, scuba diving, kayaking and wildlife viewing.
Andy Neal
