KASLO – New Democrat MLA Brittny Anderson says funding for the Rural Innovation Centre will in Kaslo will support cooperation and innovation with a rural development grant from the province.

“People in rural communities are incredible creators and innovators when it comes to building and accessing services that people in urban centres take for granted,” said MLA Anderson. “This innovation centre is a great way for people to come together and collaborate, finding solutions to complex problems and leveraging their skills and experience to make Kaslo an even better place to live.”

The province is providing a grant of $979,173 to the Village of Kaslo for the Kaslo Rural Innovation Centre. The centre is located the historic Kemball Building and includes space for rural tech innovation and co-working.

Rural Development grants are provided by the Ministry of Forests, Lands, Natural Resource Operations and Rural Development. Other grant recipients in this round include the Kootenay-Boundary Regional District, Nakusp, Merritt, Princeton, and Powell River. The CERIP was created to respond to the needs of communities recovering from the COVID-19 pandemic.

This recovery funding is part of the government’s commitment to build resilient communities as outlined within the StrongerBC Economic Plan. The plan moves British Columbia forward by tackling the challenges of today while growing an economy that works for everyone. This long-term plan builds on B.C.’s strong economic recovery.