Released on February 28, 2011
Enterprise Minister Jeremy Harrison today announced the approval of up to $2 million for a project in the Town of Big River under the Community Development Trust Fund (CDTF).
The funding will contribute to the town's Destination West project, a two-part proposal that includes the development of tourism infrastructure and value-added forestry infrastructure. The forestry component will be used to develop an industrial site and help attract new private sector investment to the community. The tourism component includes updates to the local airstrip, downtown revitalization, expansion of the regional park, creation of cross-country and snowmobiling trails, upgrades to the road to the Ness Creek Music Festival, upgrades to the visitor centre and the development of an interpretive centre.
"Big River is one of many Saskatchewan communities that have been hard hit by the downturn in the forestry sector," Harrison said. "Through CDTF the community is building a solution that will help diversify the local economy and provide a long term plan for future economic development."
Tourism and forestry are important sectors in our northern communities," Saskatchewan Rivers MLA Nadine Wilson said. "Funding for this project will help to enhance these two sectors, yielding jobs and development for the Town of Big River."
The Destination West project will create short-term construction jobs as well as approximately 25 permanent jobs.
The federal government announced a $1 billion CDTF in 2008 that was intended to help support activities that strengthen economic opportunities for communities negatively affected by global financial and commodity market disruption. Saskatchewan's share of the fund is $36.4 million over three years.
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For more information, contact:
Shanna Schulhauser
Enterprise Saskatchewan
Regina
Phone: 306-798-0503
Email: shanna.schulhauser@enterprisesask.ca