Grand Forks is set to receive $660,000 to enhance economic development in the area, after a major flood devastated its downtown this past spring.

The money comes from the BC Rural Dividend Program special circumstance provision and will support community projects led by Community Futures Boundary and the City of Grand Forks.

“The special circumstances provision was specifically designed to assist communities undergoing economic hardship, such as those impacted by flooding,” said Doug Donaldson, Minister of Forests, Lands, Natural Resource Operations and Rural Development. “These projects will go a long way to helping Grand Forks recover from the traumatic flooding events of this past year.”

The City of Grand Forks will receive $360,000 to hire an events/marketing co-ordinator who will provide business-retention services to help the region recover from recent flooding, as well as develop marketing and event strategies, and deliver business recovery training programs.

“The City of Grand Forks is pleased to have been awarded this provincial funding,” said Mayor Brian Taylor. “It will directly assist local small businesses in rebuilding the momentum of the Open for Business campaign that was slowed due to the catastrophic flooding experienced here in May.”

Community Futures Boundary will receive $300,000 to hire a business development officer to provide economic development services, develop an economic development strategy and work with partners to implement priorities and opportunities identified in the strategy.

“We are thrilled to learn that the Province has approved funding that will allow for a robust two-year economic development partnership with the City of Grand Forks and Regional District of Kootenay Boundary Area D,” said Al Petersen, Community Futures Boundary board chair. “In the aftermath of the flooding event our community experienced, we know now more than ever that we need to work with, and for, business in our community if we want to build back better.”