NDP MLA Josie Osborne says funding for the Mid Island will help diversify economy, promote sustainability

PORT ALBERNI – BC NDP MLA Josie Osborne says that projects in the Mid Island – Pacific Rim will benefit from funding to promote economic diversification and sustainability in rural communities.

“Across our beautiful riding from the west coast through the Alberni Valley to Cumberland, these REDIP investments are helping our communities lead bold, future-focused economic development,” said Josie Osborne, MLA for Mid Island – Pacific Rim. “Whether it’s the Pacific Seaweed Industry Association building a sustainable seaweed industry, or the Clayoquot Biosphere Trust creating a world-class centre for reconciliation and sustainable growth, these projects are local solutions to our changing economic landscape. They reflect the creativity, resilience, and leadership of the people in these communities, and I’m proud to support their vision.”

The following projects in the Mid Island are receiving funding:

  • Alberni Maker Space Society – $500,000
    • Project: Alberni Maker Space Society located in Port Alberni, a forestry dependent community is proposing a pilot micro-credential training program in hands-on manufacturing technologies, partnering with North Island College to develop curriculum for 6 microcredentials developed and delivered by NIC; providing students with supervised practice at the makerspace facility. Transitioning forestry workers, women, youth, and Indigenous people will earn certifications in 3D printing, CNC cutting, electronics prototyping, laser engraving, and textile techniques. Over the year-long pilot, 24 participants (3 cohorts of 8) will receive training, mentorship, and practical experience, preparing them for self-employment or jobs in manufacturing and creative sectors. We aim to integrate these microcredentials into NIC’s offerings and establish our makerspace as a regional training asset.
  • City of Port Alberni – $500,000
    • Project: The project will accelerate Port Alberni’s transformation into a community with sustainable higher-value economic sectors and enhance its attractiveness to potential new businesses and residents.  The components of the project are: a business case for a Cellulose and Marine Life Innovation Centre; a blueprint for attracting Creative Arts & Circular Economy businesses into empty commercial and industrial properties; an Economic Development Master Plan; branding of the community; support for a ‘Future of Forestry Think Tank’ and dedicated resources to assist in the work. Overall outcomes of this project include attracting investment, attracting new businesses and residents, creating jobs, moving higher up the value chain with local operations, leveraging existing assets and distributing tax burdens more equitably.
  • Clayoquot Biosphere Trust (CBT) – $1,000,000.00
    • Project: the Clayoquot Biosphere Trust (CBT) is developing the Clayoquot Sound Biosphere Centre (CSBC) in Tofino to support long-term economic growth and diversification in the region. The CSBC will serve as a hub for economic reconciliation and will provide dedicated space to advance key sectors such as tourism, education and training. By including a UNESCO Visitor Centre, the CSBC will attract new visitors and investors, boosting the local economy. Additionally, it will act as an incubator for new and expanding businesses and organizations, fostering innovation and job creation.
  • Coastal Queer Alliance Association – $99,823.00
    • Project: This project aims to enhance economic resilience by fostering inclusive participation in the Creative Economy, focusing on creative tourism and industries. It will begin with a needs assessment of queer/Indigiqueer and IBPOC creatives in Ucluelet and Tofino, followed by initiatives to test supportive pathways, documented in strategic recommendations for long-term inclusion.
  • HFN Hospitality Corporation – $400,000.00
    • Project: This project will complete a fiber and feasibility study to support potential investments in manufacturing, including value-added product manufacturing in the Alberni valley.
  • Pacific Seaweed Industry Association – $496,208.52
    • Project: This collaborative project will build on innovative ideas to develop a prototype and process for mobile seaweed processing, pilot test the prototype, make appropriate refinements, support business development, and provide training to industry partner employees to enable knowledge and technology transfer for the benefit of all partners and the seaweed sector.
  • Regional District of Alberni-Clayoquot  – $240,250.00
    • Project: This project will fund the development of land-use and development plans for the Long Beach Airport, including public engagement to ensure alignment with the west coast communities’ values and strategic plans for economic diversity and growth.
  • Tla-o-qui-aht First Nation Economic Development Corporation – $932,170.00
    • Project: The Tla-o-qui-aht First Nation Economic Development Corporation is developing new tourism and businesss opportunities for the Tla-o-qui-aht First Nation through installation of new totem poles on the Tin Wis Resort grounds and a new kitchen and roof for the Tin Wis Conference Centre. This will provide a permanent location for the Tla-o-qui-aht First Nation’s naa?uu event series in addition enabling the resort to function as a campus for learning to expanded tourism, entrepreneurial training and employment opportunities for the Nation’s citizens.
  • Uchucklesaht Tribe Government – $100,000.00
    • Project: The Uchucklesaht Tribal Government will continue employment of their Economic Development Manager. This position is fundamental to the continued advancement of the economic development initiatives identified in the 2022 Economic Development Strategic Plan.
  • Village of Cumberland – $97,000.00
    • Project: The Village of Cumberland plans to develop a Feasibility Study to identify development costs and best use scenarios for a 30-acre parcel of surplus land in the Village. The study will focus on job creation and response to demand for tourist accommodation and commercial development opportunities in the area.

More than 130 projects across B.C. are receiving a total of $43 million in funding this year from the Rural Economic Diversification and Infrastructure Program (REDIP). Projects are being led by local governments, First Nations, and not-for-profit organizations, and will create an estimated 1,200 jobs across the province.

Learn More: https://news.gov.bc.ca/releases/2025JEDI0018-000472