A land use and feasibility study of the Westside Lands is a step closer to becoming a reality.
Columbia Shuswap Regional District directors supported a City of Revelstoke request for funding to explore economic opportunities for the area at the Nov. 21 regular board meeting in Salmon Arm.
At its Oct. 22 meeting in Revelstoke, councillors voted to support an application to the province’s Rural Economic Diversification and Infrastructure Program (REDIP) and Ottawa’s CanExport Community Investment funding for investment attraction that includes a land use feasibility study for the Westside Lands, which are subject to Section 17 of the BC Land Act.
Under the Land Act, the minister of Water, Land and Resource Stewardship may designate a portion of Crown land for a particular use or for the conservation of natural or heritage resources.
“ I think there is a lot of opportunity here in section 17 lands, as they have become known over the years, but the discussion we have had at the economic development table is we can find something that matches with the community’s needs and have a robust exploration,” said Coun. Aaron Orlando. “I hope staff has a successful application process and subsequent engagement on all the opportunities that might be available.”
Community Economic Development (CED) staff and members of the Revelstoke Area Economic Development Commission (RAEDC) have identified the need to understand the economic opportunities for the acquisition and development of the Section 17 lands, which is supported in the official community plan (OCP). This activity will support the broad CED objectives of workforce development, business retention and expansion, economic diversification, and investor readiness.
REDIP funds can be used for feasibility studies, business plans, program design, service planning, and planning activities related to workforce housing (workforce housing is defined as housing developed to support critical economic opportunities (eg., natural resource projects) or sectors (i.e., seasonal tourism operators) that are unable to fill workforce demands due to a lack of housing.
CanExport funds can be used for strategic planning and analysis for foreign direct investment (FDI), developing FDI tools and materials, providing FDI training, generating FDI leads and meetings with potential investors.
At the Oct. 22 council meeting Economic Development Coordinator Cat Moffat said multiple opportunities are being considered for the 130-acre parcel, including a data tech park, housing, food production and manufacturing, among others.
“We’re looking for the best fit for the community and if we do end up transitioning out of forestry, we want to have other good opportunities with good-paying jobs for the long term,” she said, noting that a $125,000 REDIP grant would allow the city to address the data centre piece. “If we get a $250,000 Can Export grant we can do an in-depth exploration and then present them to council.”
Also approved at the Oct. 22 meeting was the recommendation to ask the CSRD for an allocation of $12,500 from the Revelstoke and Area B Economic Opportunity Fund, which represents 10 per cent of the REDIP funding.
At the CSRD Board meeting, Electoral Area B Director David Brooks-Hill noted that the land is close to the Revelstoke Dam, is next door to a major power source and has been the subject of interest and discussion for a long time.
