Merritt receiving grant funding to hire community recovery adviser

The Economic Trust of the Southern Interior (ETSI-BC), has provided funding to 25 different business support organizations, local governments, and First Nations communities in BC’s Southern Interior through the Rural Business and Community Recovery (RBCR) Program. ETSI–BC, formerly known as the Southern Interior Development Initiative Trust (SIDIT) is helping deliver the RBCR Program throughout its region on behalf of the Province of BC. A total of $1.65 million has been provided to 25 communities and non-profit business support organizations.

“This funding provides an opportunity for our partners to hire a specialist to work in every part of our region and assist with economic recovery,” said Laurel Douglas, CEO of ETSI-BC. “Our team was able to move swiftly when we were allocated the funding in March, to launch an intake process, review the proposals, select the successful proponents, and execute the agreements. Now, these partners are starting to hire their advisors to begin the all-important work of helping rural communities recover.”

Merritt’s communications manager Will George joined Q101 to discuss want the new hire will be looking to accomplish.

“This funding is going towards a community recovery advisory position. So, this is towards capacity building where we don’t have to increase taxes to bring on additional support,” said George. “This individual will be updating the economic development action plan, the plan is from 2015.”

“They will also be implementing some of the key strategies from the economic development plan and supporting the COVID business economic recovery initiatives,” added George.

The funding covers the position for one-year.

The funding is part of the Province of British Columbia’s StrongerBC Plan, and it is focused on helping rural communities of less than 25,000 residents. Applicants were required to be First Nation, local, municipal, or regional governments, or non-profit business support organizations.