GIBSONS- BC NDP MLA Randene Neill says that people on the Sunshine Coast will benefit from funding to promote economic diversification and sustainability in rural communities.

“When you live in a small community like the Sunshine Coast, small changes can make a big difference,” said Randene Neill, MLA for Powell River- Sunshine Coast. “An independent co-op association on Gambier Island will help support the local economy, funding to upgrade a commercial kitchen at the Gibsons Public Market will support feeding our community at more local events and a unique feasibility study will explore more affordable housing options in the area.”

Projects being funded on the Sunshine Coast are:

• Sunshine Coast Affordable Housing Society – $48,641- This funding will support a feasibility study to develop a best practices model employing an integrated approach to conversion of single detached houses into multi-unit properties through retrofitting and the addition of garden suites.
• Gambier Island Community Association- $64,440- This funding will help the GICA establish an independent coop association to provide the administrative and organizational infrastructure for a vast array of economic activities on the island. This will support job creation, a market for island-produced goods, and help encourage local food security.
• Gibsons Community Building Society- $75,102- The society will upgrade the commercial and community kitchens on the merchant level of the Gibsons Public Market.

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