BC rural development Archives

BC Rural Dividend Program Announces Fourth Intake

Applications for funding in the fourth intake of the BC Rural Dividend program will be accepted Nov. 15 to Dec. 15, 2017, Minister of Forests, Lands, Natural Resource Operations and Rural Development Doug Donaldson announced today. “I encourage local governments, not-for-profit organizations and First Nations to get their applications submitted,” said Donaldson. “We’re committed to…

BC Forestry Trade Mission to Asia Launches

BC Government Forestry trade mission to Asia

The BC Forestry trade mission to Asia is British Columbia’s largest-ever forest sector delegation to China and Japan, according to Forests, Lands, Natural Resource Operations and Rural Development Minister Doug Donaldson. The mission, from Nov. 12 to 17, sees Minister Donaldson joined by over 30 senior executives from B.C. forest companies and associations. “We need to…

BC Rural Centre Social Media e-Magazine (Autumn 2017)

We hope you enjoy our October social media e-Magazine. Be sure to stay in touch with us on Facebook (and don’t forget to like us)!

BC Community Forests Make a Difference

A report entitled Community Forests — Community Benefits: The Economic Contributions of Community Forests to Rural BC Communities, recently released by the Southern Interior Beetle Action Coalition (SIBAC), in cooperation with the BC Community Forests Association (BCCFA), underscores the fact BC community forests are playing a very significant — often critical — role in the…

“Overtourism” Protests Spreading Throughout Europe

Rural BC communities seeking to reinvent their formerly resource-based economies, communities that happen to be located in beautiful areas — so-called “high amenity” places — face a unique challenge. In many cases these communities have turned to tourism as a means of revitalizing the local economic scene. The idea is straightforward enough: more tourists means…

Doug Donaldson BC’s New Minister Responsible for Rural Development

The new BC Government has named the Honourable Doug Donaldson as Minister of Forests, Lands, Natural Resource Operations & Rural Development. Prior to becoming an MLA, Doug worked for Storytellers’ Foundation, a non-profit organization focusing on community economic development in northwestern BC, including local food action initiatives. His previous work in Stikine included jobs in forestry,…

Community Forests Important Says Report

An important report, Community Forests — Community Benefits: The Economic Contributions of Community Forest to Rural Communities, on the significant value of our province’s community forests, was released today. This timely effort is an economic analysis that quantifies the cumulative, historical economic contributions of community forests to rural communities in BC. The report was commissioned by the Southern Interior…

all that jazz… a conversation with Paul Hinrichs

All those mountains, and all that jazz… For over 25 years, the tiny West Kootenay village of Kaslo has played host to one of the world’s most celebrated outdoor music festivals. USA Today has called the Kaslo Jazz Festival “one of the 10 best places in the world to enjoy outdoor music in the…

Mobilizing Rural Investment Capital

The Need for Rural Investment Capital in BC Access to investment capital is crucial to business and economic development anywhere – but is especially important in rural areas. However, research completed by SIBAC and others has noted that it is often difficult to access business financing – and specifically patient equity investment financing – in…