What happened: The provincial government has announced it will contribute $75 million to northern economic development initiatives.
Why it matters: Premier John Horgan says the funds are meant to help address social and infrastructure needs in northern communities preparing for major economic development projects.
The B.C. government will invest $75 million in northern communities preparing for major economic development initiatives.
Two-thirds of the funding will go directly to local governments to address infrastructure needs.
"These funds will help address the social and infrastructure needs that arise out of the many exciting economic developments underway in those communities," said Premier John Horgan in a news release.
Funding received under the $50 million Northern Capital and Planning Grant program will be based on population size. Municipalities of more than 8,000 people will receive between $5.2 million and $6.6 million, while those with smaller populations will receive between $300,000 and $3.7 million. Regional districts will receive between $400,000 and $1.6 million.
The remaining $25 million will be distributed by the Northern Development Initiative Trust through the B.C. Northern Healthy Communities Fund.
Funding will go to local governments, First Nations and non-profit organizations to support the delivery of critical services, such as housing, health care and child care.
The $75 million investment is not part of the $1.5 billion the province plans to spend on B.C.'s economic recovery from COVID-19. It is also in addition to the $100 million distributed to northern communities under the Northern Capital and Planning Grant in 2019.
