November 2015 - Newsletter

Northern Development joined Community, Sport and Cultural Development Minister Peter Fassbender in Terrace B.C. November 24th to report on the success of the planning and asset management programs. From left to right: Janine North (Northern Development, CEO), Holly Adams (Regional District of Kitimat-Stikine, planner), Peter Fassbender (Minister of Community, Sport and Cultural Development), Nicholas Redpath (Regional District of Kitimat-Stikine, planner).

In 2014, grants totalling $1 million were made available to northwest communities to help them update their bylaws and official community plans, as well as review and assess local infrastructure needs to prepare for economic growth.

To date, $768,392 in asset management and land-use planning grants have been approved to support projects in Kitimat, Terrace, Port Edward, Prince Rupert, the Regional District of Kitimat-Stikine and the Skeena-Queen Charlotte Regional District. The grants are helping the communities thoroughly review their current infrastructure (water, sewer, drainage, local roads) and plan effectively for their future infrastructure needs.

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Northern Development is helping the “shop local” movement gain momentum on the North Coast with the launch of www.LovePrinceRupert.com – a new platform that promotes the region’s independent, locally-owned businesses. The launch of the new site, financially supported by Northern Development, coincided with a marketplace event held on Saturday November 14th.The marketplace event showcased a host of unique Prince Rupert businesses and entrepreneurs who were available to the public to talk about the unique, homegrown stories behind their businesses and the products they sell.

LovePrinceRupert.com is the latest addition to the largest shop local campaign in Canada. The Small Town Love movement is a unique online marketing tool that highlights locally-owned, independent businesses with a goal to encourage more residents and visitors in the region to shop local and support their neighbourhood businesses. With the inclusion of LovePrinceRupert.com, the Small Town Love movement includes 24 communities and more than 1,000 independent businesses across Northern B.C.

Photos: fromthetreehouse.ca

Kicking off the Love Prince Rupert celebrations by cutting the cake. From left to right: Paul Vendittelli (Economic Development Officer, City of Prince Rupert), Jennifer Rice (MLA, North Coast), Lee Brain (Mayor, City of Prince Rupert), Janine North (CEO, Northern Development Initiative Trust).

The Forum for Women Entrepreneurs (FWE) and Northern Development have partnered to launch the inaugural FWE Mentor Program North, which will provide business mentors to 25 women entrepreneurs from across Northern B.C.

The program is open to female entrepreneurs located in B.C.’s Northwest, Northeast, Cariboo-Chilcotin/Lillooet and Prince George regions. The partnership between FWE and Northern Development means mentees will only need to pay a total of $100 for 12 months of one-on-one mentorship beginning January 2016.

The Mentor North program was announced at the XL Your Business: Best Practices for Any Business, Any Size event. XL Your Business welcomed a panel of seasoned entrepreneurs at the Ramada hotel in Prince George. Guests were inspired by stories shared from Judy Brooks, (FWE Board Member + Blo Blow Dry Bar), Kevin McElroy (Nuheat Industries), Katie Reiach (Talk Shop Media Inc.) and Yuri Fulmer (Fulmer Capital Partners).

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One of B.C.’s most remote First Nations communities will soon have a new recreation and gathering space.

Northern Development has partnered with the Kwadacha First Nation to upgrade and expand the former band administration building to offer new programming for community members, with a particular focus on youth programs. The goal for the facility is to provide opportunities for youth to participate in sports, fitness, trades and apprenticeship training and community gathering activities

The Kwadacha Community and Youth Recreation Centre plans to offer a variety of recreational, economic development and capacity building activities. Northern Development has approved $30,000 in funding through its Community Halls and Recreation Facilities program to support the project, representing 51% of the total project cost. The remaining funding, $28,700, will come from the Kwadacha First Nation.

Visit our website for more information about funding opportunities through the Trust’s Community Halls and Recreation Facilities program.

Love Chetwynd Launch Celebrations

December 8, 2015  | Chetwynd Public Library, 5012 46th Street  |  5:30pm – 8:30pm

Love Mackenzie Launch Celebrations

December 11, 2015  |  Mackenzie, B.C.

Application Intake Deadline

February 12, 2016 @ 4:30pm