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A $700,000 upgrade for Legion Beach Osoyoos (Photo/Destination Osoyoos)
By Kevin Rothwell
No projects for the Central or North Okanagan

$19.4 million in new tourism related projects

Mar 29, 2021 | 11:46 AM

Six tourism dependent communities it the Thompson-Okanagan tourism region have received almost $2.8 million from the provincial government to support tourism infrastructure development.

Thompson-Okanagan projects (Photo/Province of B.C.)

“We’re investing to make our region even more attractive to visitors. New funding for tourism-dependent communities in our region means new jobs in our communities and new ways to showcase all that we have in our backyard,” Roly Russell, MLA for Boundary-Similkameen said . “When we’re ready to welcome people back, I look forward to enjoying the new arts and culture stage at Sun Peaks and exploring the amenity upgrades in Barriere, Clearwater, Grand Forks, Osoyoos and Valemount.”

A total of 46 new tourism-development projects were identified by communities throughout B.C. and include updated trails for e-bikes and adaptive trikes, signage, solar electric-vehicle charging stations, sea kayak touring and picnic facilities, water park construction, and creating an arts and culture stage.

“This direct investment in tourism-dependent communities was a call to action from the tourism sector and an integral part of our recovery plan,” Melanie Mark, Minister of Tourism, Arts, Culture and Sport said. “These projects will provide good-paying jobs now, create valuable assets for communities and attract more visitors in the future.”

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Thirty-two communities have received a combined $19.4 million through the Tourism Dependent Communities Initiative. The approved projects must be completed by March 2023.

No North Okanagan or Central Okanagan communities received funds.

The province identified communities as tourism dependent based on a combination of criteria, including; collecting the municipality and regional district tax; having a population of fewer than 25,000 and located outside of Metro Vancouver or the Capital Regional District and having a higher percentage of accommodation-sector wages in com parison to total employment wages.

by Kevin Rothwell
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