The Columbia Basin Trust (CBT) is continuing its tour across the area and will be stopping in Fernie next week to seek public consultation on the program and provide one local with the chance to give back to the community.
A dinner will be hosted to facilitate conversation on how CBT can better provide its services to residents.
According to the Trust, these dinners help to “connect with residents and find out what is important” as well as building on input provided to the Trust in the past.
In its 20 year history the CBT has pushed millions of dollars into local initiatives, organizations and programs.
These dinners have been hosted across 25 communities in the Basin in the last year.
In a press release, Neil Muth, Columbia Basin Trust President and CEO highlighted that “economic development and diversification, agriculture and food security, ecosystem restoration and conservation, and affordable housing” are some of the themes that have been brought forward by residents since the public consultations began last September.
“We look forward to continuing our engagement process to understand what’s important to communities,” said Muth.
Locals who attend the Fernie forum will have a chance to win $1,000 to donate to a local non-profit.
The Fernie forum will take place on Wednesday, Jan. 21 at the Seniors Drop In Centre. Residents wishing to attend the forum and provide input at their own pace are encouraged to join from 4-5:30 p.m., with dinner and facilitated conversation taking place until 8 p.m. that evening.