2021 ANNUAL REPORT MESSAGE FROM THE CHAIR AND CEO As we look back and reflect on 2021 it is fair to say that as an organization, we were not sure what to expect. Entering the second year of the COVID-19 pandemic we recognized that in addition to continuing to work and meet virtually, we also needed to extend our Small Business Recovery (SBR) Consulting Rebate program and ensure our local governments, businesses, First Nations and not-for-profits had access to much needed programs and funding.
Consulting Rebate in 2021 including $8,330 to The Meat Doctor out of Dawson Creek for website development.
Fortunately, despite the pandemic and various disasters such as fires and flooding, the Trust maintained a strong investment portfolio for the third year in a row. In 2021, we saw a 12.8 per cent return on investment and approved a total of $16.9 million in grant allocations, not including our partner programs.
Partner programs continued to outperform with a massively busy year for Connecting BC. The development of Highway 16 cellular coverage was approved for $2,250,000 and will see the placement of 12 new cellular towers between Prince Rupert and Moricetown. As well, the launch of the Northern Health Communities Fund (NHCF) saw $3,404,719 committed to 29 important initiatives to support communities adjusting to growth related to major projects – such as the $232,000 grant for renovations to the Little Horizons Childcare Centre in Smithers.
The new suite of community development programs we launched in 2020 completed a successful first year. The programs were well accessed and allowed the Trust to partner with communities in a way that more closely aligned with their economic development priorities. We supported the construction of a new RV park in Quesnel with a $300,000 Recreation Infrastructure grant and the construction of a Marine Emergency Response and Research Facility in Hartley Bay with a $100,000 Economic Infrastructure grant. Housing was definitely top of mind in 2021 and Northern Development approved $60,000 for the District of Houston through the Northern Housing Incentive program for six additional seniors housing units. In the District of Port Edward, a $240,000 Strategic Initiatives Fund grant is going to support brownfield remediation with the intent of selling the site to a developer for a subdivision of single-family homes with rental suites.
In addition, the Northern Industries Innovation Fund (NIFF) supported various projects including $50,000 to a Hazelton company that is working to seed hundreds of thousands of hectares of northern land that has been disturbed by fires, pests, natural or human caused disturbances.
Lastly, the addition of the Northern Passenger Transportation Service Fund challenged the team in new ways to partner with Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure, BC Transit and communities to chart the future for passenger service in Northern B.C. Overall in 2021, the Trust approved $94,080,044 for 150 partner program projects. Now that we are settling into 2022, we look forward to traveling again throughout the region, attending renewed festivals and events, visiting our favourite local businesses and reconnecting with the people and places that make this region so unique.
Business programs continued to deliver much-needed support to small and medium enterprises struggling through COVID, often de-risking the cost of investing in themselves to reposition or take advantage of a new opportunity, leading to more resiliency and growth. A total of 20 projects were supported through the SBR
Margo Wagner Board Chair
Joel McKay Chief Executive Officer
Northern Development Initiative Trust – 2021 Annual Report
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