Province announces phase 2 of wildfire recovery relief

Nov 29, 2017 | 1:51 PM

KAMLOOPS — More help is on the way for small business owners hurt by last summer’s devastating wildfires.

Today the provincial government announced Phase 2 of the Support to Small Business, Not-for-Profit Organizations and First Nations Cultural Livelihood Program.

Phase 2 of the program will contribute up to a maximum of $18,500 for eligible businesses. Not-for-profit organizations can also apply for additional assistance of up to $8,500. The amounts awarded will be decided on a case-by-case basis.

Phase 1 of the program was announced in September and provided $1,500 to each eligible applicant. The province received more than 2,900 applications.

“More than 3,000 businesses, not-for-profits and First Nations cultural livelihoods have been hurt by the fires,” said Kimberley Nemrava, vice-president of the Canadian Red Cross for B.C. and Yukon. “The Phase 2 assistance is available for items such as uninsured losses, deductibles, minor repairs, cleanup, equipment and occuptional training expenses.”

“Coming from a rural community myself, I know that small businesses are often the economic backbone of communities and I’m real pleased to announce this today,” added Minister of Forests, Lands, Natural Resource Operations and Rural Development Doug Donaldson.

Those interested in accessing the funds have until April 6, 2018 to apply. For information concerning eligibility requirements click here.

Last summer’s unprecedented wilfire season burned over 1 million hectares of forest and saw 65,000 people forced from their homes, the most in provincial history.