MP Jim Abbott and MLA Bill Bennett announced this week an investment of more than $12.4 million in 25 projects through the Community Adjustment Fund and the Job Opportunities Program that will help organizations and groups throughout the province to create immediate employment.

Abbott, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of International Cooperation and MP for Kootenay-Columbia, made the announcement on behalf of Lynne Yelich, Minister of State for Western Economic Diversification.

“I’m pleased to announce that our government, through our Economic Action Plan, is supporting B.C. workers and communities hardest hit by these tough times,” Abbott said. “These important investments are creating jobs immediately and laying the foundations for an even stronger future.”

He said he was grateful for the level of cooperation between himself and Bennett.

It was announced the Regional Districts of East Kootenay, Kootenay Boundary and Central Kootenay will be given $5 million ($4 million federal and $1 million provincial) to undertake fuel management projects in their communities.

This includes stand thinning, pruning, and removal of short stems and the removal of remaining fuels by burning or chipping. The project will create 62 jobs and 747 person months of employment to conduct fuel management activities on approximately 750 hectares of Crown land.

The funding is intended to put unemployed forestry workers back to work. Abbott said the amount of stimulus money that has come to the Kootenays is over $100 million.

Bennett thanked Abbott and the federal government for being willing to work with the provincial government in creating jobs.

“The Job Opportunities Program is just one example of how important government partnerships are when it comes to creating jobs and stimulating local economies,” he said. “This investment demonstrates our commitment to supporting resource-based communities throughout the province as they work to adjust to their economies.”

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