October 30, 2009
B.C. Supports Workers in Grand Forks Area

VICTORIA - Out-of-work resource workers will benefit from close to $500,000 in Job Opportunities Program funds to carry out urban tree planting, mountain pine beetle surveying, and range fence clearing, repairs and removal in the Kootenay Boundary regional district, announced Boundary-Similkameen MLA John Slater, on behalf of Community and Rural Development Minister Bill Bennett.

"The Job Opportunities program is making a difference in many rural communities," said Slater. "These particular projects, identified as priorities, are creating 23 jobs for displaced resource workers who have been impacted by the economic downturn."

Four projects are being funded under the Job Opportunities Program:

Dennis Contracting is receiving $103,415 to complete work activities to slash range fence line right of ways on range units in the Rock Creek and Westbridge area. Fallen trees will be removed and existing fences will be repaired. Livestock travel corridors on trails and remote roads will also be cleared where required to improve access. Five workers are being employed to complete the project.

Whitewater Forestry Consulting Ltd. is receiving $209,316 to complete mountain pine beetle star probe surveys. As a result, they will fall and burn infected trees. Work will take place on Landscape Unit B6 Kettle River (Christian Valley). The project is providing employment for up to six workers.

Jackass Logging Ltd. is receiving $132,907 to complete range fence clearing, repairs and fence removal on range units in the Grand Forks area. The project is providing employment for four workers.

City of Grand Forks is receiving $54,048 to plant 200 or more trees in various locations throughout the city. This project links with a Trees for Tomorrow grant. Trees will be purchased from local nurseries. Eight workers are being employed to complete the project.

"These projects employ local residents to improve forest health and range lands," said Forests and Range Minister Pat Bell. "In addition to the immediate economic benefits and the intrinsic value of community upgrades, these projects also help communities maintain a skilled and diverse workforce for the future."

"The southern Interior has been hard hit by the economic downturn," said Marguerite Rotvold, chair of the Regional District of Kootenay Boundary. "We know how important it is to keep people working during difficult economic times and the Job Opportunities Program is one way of doing that."

The Job Opportunities Program was first announced in May 2008 as one component of the federally-funded $129-million Community Development Trust. In July 2009, the provincial government committed an additional $30 million towards the program, which the federal government is matching on a project-by-project basis through the Community Adjustment Fund.

The Province of British Columbia's contribution to the Job Opportunities Program is part of its commitment to provide stability for workers and communities, maintain the workforce during the economic downturn and help British Columbians gain new skills to be successful in the future.

For more information about the Job Opportunities Program, go to www.cd.gov.bc.ca/cdt/.

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