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Community Directed Funds Committee seeks input on Elk Valley priorities

The Committee is seeking your input on how to best allocate $600,000 from CBT to create social and economic benefits.

Submitted

"Think Elk Valley” is the name of the game for the Elk Valley Community Directed Funds Committee and it is seeking your input on how to best allocate $600,000 from Columbia Basin Trust (CBT) to create social and economic benefits across the region.

During the month of October, Elk Valley residents and stakeholders will have a number of opportunities to give the committee feedback on how to spend the funds by identifying projects and priorities that will create benefits for all communities in the Elk Valley.  These opportunities include giving input online, participating in upcoming open houses or submitting ideas in writing.

“We are genuinely excited about identifying projects and initiatives that will benefit all of our Elk Valley communities,” says Committee Chair Mary Giuliano. “This is a valuable opportunity for us to learn about and collaborate on priorities that are shared by residents across the Elk Valley.”

The Elk Valley Community Priorities Plan will provide a delivery mechanism for CBT funds being administered by the RDEK through the Elk Valley Community Directed Funds Committee, which is comprised of the mayors of Fernie, Elkford and Sparwood, the Director for Area A, and four community representatives. The plan will be both community directed and targeted to create benefits for the whole region instead of individual communities.

The Committee would like to hear from residents as well as those involved with key sectors in the Elk Valley, including businesses, community and public services, health, arts and culture, sports, recreation, heritage, environment, seniors and youth.

RDEK Area A Director Mike Sosnowski feels it is important to hear from as many Elk Valley residents as possible.

“Whether you work in the agriculture, mining or tourism industry, grew up in the Valley or moved here to live, we want to know what projects you think would benefit local residents.”

Elk Valley residents are invited to visit www.thinkelkvalley.com to learn more about the consultation, open house schedules and how to give input online. Residents that prefer to submit ideas in writing can find a tear-out form in this issue of The Free Press, which can be dropped off at their local municipal office.  Open house schedules will also be published and announced through local media throughout the Elk Valley next week.

For more information on the Elk Valley Community Directed Funds Consultation contact:

 

Jeff Zukiwsky, Consultant, Zumundo Community & Environmental Planning at thinkelkvalley@zumndo.com or at 250-430-1551; Mary Giuliano, Chair Elk Valley Community Directed Funds Committee at mary.giuliano@fernie.ca or at 250-423-2233; Jennifer Krotz, Community Liaison Columbia Basin Trust at jkrotz@cbt.org or at 250-426-8816.