Merritt receives grant funding to investigate possible industrial park

The City of Merritt has received $50,000 from the Economic Trust of the Southern Interior to hire a consultant to look at the feasibility of a light industrial park in the City.

Nine recipients ranging from First Nations and municipalities to tourism associations and community-led societies throughout the Southern Interior of BC. have just been awarded a portion of $305,000 in funding for economic development projects.

“ETSI-BC wants to serve as a catalyst for new economic development initiatives, knowing that sometimes a community needs a first-in funder to seed projects and encourage other funders,” said Laurel Douglas, ESTI-BC CEO. “The outcomes from these nine projects will be as diverse as our region’s communities, but growing their local economy is a common goal for them all.”

Merritt’s Economic Development Manager Will George tells Q101 the City will be matching the $50,000 grant.

“Council has been very clear that we are looking to attract additional businesses to Merritt. Some of those include transportation and really utilizing Merritt as a manufacturing and transportation hub. Light industrial is one of the key business categories that we are trying to attract,” added George.

The project has a one-year timeline for completion.