Rural Dividend Fund Under Review

The Rural Dividend Fund may be getting a face lift. The Regional District of Fraser Fort George met with the ministry responsible to talk about how onerous the application process is. The program makes a maximum of $100,000 available to municipalities with populations of 25,000 or less, First Nations and non-profits.
“A municipality would have audited finances and statement ever year, so it’s not so bad for them,” explains Pat Crook, the Mayor of Mackenzie. “But a non-profit, in order to fulfill the grant, would have to have a complete audit done and the process would have to be monitored and reports written. It’s quite onerous for non-profits.”
But the Minister of Forests, Lands and Natural Resource Operations and Rural Development says he understands completely.
“It’s something that’s dear my heart. It was what I was involved with before I became an MLA,” says Doug Donaldson. “During the Union of BC Municipalities, I met with representatives and, yes, we heard about the onerous reporting requirements in some instances, depending on how much money is being granted from the Rural Dividend Fund. That’ll be part of what we’re looking at now when I talk about tweaking the process.”
A quick look at the Government’s website indicate the third intake of that fund is now complete and adds:
“The program is under review and it is being determined how best to distribute the remaining Rural Dividend funds, taking into account the community impacts of this year’s wildfire season and other exceptional circumstances.”
No word on how long the review will take.