Every year the Columbia Shuswap Regional District receives BC Hydro Grants in Lieu of Taxes (PILT), which are distributed throughout the regional district via economic opportunity funds.
The Economic Opportunity Funds (EOF) were created specifically as a means of compensating for the loss of economic opportunities on those lands affected by dams and reservoirs and the resultant economic impacts to the affected communities.”
At the April 23 Revelstoke Council meeting, directors unanimously approved recommendations to be made to the CSRD board to approve EOF funds to support two initiatives. The first is the allocation of $100,000 to recreational groups to maintain and expand trail networks, backcountry amenities, and water access.
The second recommendation is the allocation of $30,000 to the Revelstoke Chamber of Commerce to expand the Revelstoke Ambassador Program to all sectors and create additional workforce development training opportunities.
In her report to the council, Economic Development Coordinator Cat Moffat advised that the ongoing transition of Revelstoke to a year-round destination providing high-quality recreation and athletic opportunities for residents and visitors has changed how people access and use recreation amenities, trail networks, and surrounding lands.
“The economic growth of the recreation and tourism sectors in Revelstoke has been impacted not only by market forces but by visitors and residents in multiple ways, including the demand for high-quality outdoor recreation venues for training and competition and the need for fully accessible amenities to serve a broader, more diverse community,” wrote Moffat in her report.
Also needed is support for key objectives, including the formation of a trail alliance and the development of a
backcountry recreation access plan, in line with the implementation of the destination management plan.
Four non-profit recreation groups were recommended to submit applications to the EOF: $30,000 to the Revelstoke Cycling Association to support on-going trail maintenance of recreation cycling trails and amenities, $30,000 to the Alpine Club of Canada Columbia Mountains Division to support on-going trail maintenance of recreation hiking trails and amenities; $30,000 to the Climber’s Access Society to support on-going maintenance of recreational climbing routes and amenities and $10,000 to the Paddlesport Association.
Moffat pointed out that work outside the municipality is growing along with increasing tourist demand increasing the need to continue to build the necessary infrastructure.
Coun. Aaron Orlando, who sits on the Economic Development Commission, was grateful for the recommendation to move the projects forward and offered thanks to the applicants for the hard and thoughtful work that went into crafting their funding applications.
In regard to a long-term vision for the community. Coun. Tim Palmer asked how the Economic Development Commission considers using economic opportunity funds.
Both Coun. Orlando and Moffat explained that most project applications are made on an annual basis.
Palmer said he supported the recommendations as the applicants are great organizations doing great things for the community. He pointed out that this year’s applications are all tourism-related and asked if they were also getting tourism funding.
Moffat noted that some of the organizations can use the money to apply for other grants, including tourism-based funding.
Orlando pointed out that one of the key themes of the Destination Management Plan is creating facilities that residents enjoy as well as visitors and listed some of the benefits both enjoy, such as paddling and recreational climbing.
Councillors supported the recommendation that the CSRD board be asked to approve $30,000 in EOF funds for the Revelstoke Chamber of Commerce.
Mayor Gary Sulz applauded the inclusion of other industries in the ambassador program as it expands opportunities for extolling the benefits of coming to Revelstoke.
Palmer said he would vote in favour of the recommendation but again expressed concern that the program seems to him to be very much tourism-related.
Mayor Sulz agreed but said the program is beneficial to newcomers as well as visitors.
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