September 5, 2008

SIDIT supports Christina Lake Ecological Centre for the Arts project with $150,000 grant

In making the announcement from the Community Futures Development Corporation offices in Grand Forks on September 5th, SIDIT Director Josh Smienk stated that “SIDIT’s objective is to help grow and diversify the economy of the Southern Interior of British Columbia through economic development initiatives in 10 key sectors. The Christina Lake project will make a significant contribution to the sustainability and diversity of the local economy.”

The announcement event was organized by Western Economic Diversification, acting as the administrator of the Federal Government’s Mountain Pine Beetle, Community Economic Development Initiative program, a major contributor to the project.

Phase 1 of the Christina Lake Ecological Centre facility with a construction budget of close to $1.25 million will house a number of artists and artisans providing them with the means to showcase and market their products while attracting increased tourist visits.

Jim Thomson, Chair of the Southern Interior Development Initiative Trust (SIDIT) further advises that SIDIT is a Public Trust created by the Province of British Columbia with a $50 million one-time allocation to support economic development in the Southern Interior. Governed by a 13 member Board of Directors representing local government and the private sector, SIDIT focuses on opportunities that demonstrate measurable and sustainable economic benefits.

In 2007, its first full year of operations, SIDIT committed approximately $9.6 million in funding. While the majority of SIDIT funding is earmarked for loans, $750,000 a year has been targeted towards qualifying projects from non- profit applicants.