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RDN board approves economic grant to five groups

The Regional District of Nanaimo board last week approved five Northern Community Economic Development funding requests.
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The Regional District of Nanaimo board last week approved five Northern Community Economic Development funding requests.

The select committee received six funding applications from local governments and organizations from Parksville and Qualicum Beach totalling $79,228.

The board approved in its 2017 final budget $52,000 for disbursement, and on May 23 it endorsed the recommendations of the select committee.

The Central Vancouver Island Job Opportunities Building Society was awarded $10,000 for its Blade Runners initiative, which is an employment and economic development program designed to give youths facing multiple barriers practical employment training in tourism and hospitality, with the goal of long-term attachment to the labour force.

The other projects that received $5,000 grants each were Echo Players Society’s Mural Project, the Qualicum Beach Chamber of Commerce Entrepreneur’s Toolkit Workshop, and Town of Qualicum Beach Renovation of the Old Fire Hall for Regional Industry Growth.

The Mt. Arrowsmith Biosphere Region at Vancouver Island University – An Amazing Places Passport Program was awarded funding of $3,000.

The only unsuccessful applicant not receiving the land a grant was the Parksville and District Chamber of Commerce’s Mid-Islant Tech Forum.

The NCED grants are geared towards supporting local initiatives that enhance economic resilience in Electoral Areas E, F, G and H, as well as the City of Parksville and the Town of Qualicum Beach.