Jim Abbott, Parliamentary Secretary for the Minister of International Cooperation and Member of Parliament for Kootenay-Columbia, on behalf of the Honourable Lynne Yelich, Minister of State for Western Economic Diversification, announced Government of Canada support to help two organizations, Red Resort Limited Partnership and the City of Rossland, strengthen local economic opportunities.

“I’m pleased to announce the Government of Canada’s support for Rossland,” said Parliamentary Secretary Abbott. “Investments such as these are creating and protecting jobs, and laying the foundation for our future growth and prosperity.”

Red Resort Limited Partnership is receiving repayable funding of $670,000 through the Community Adjustment Fund (CAF) to upgrade and expand their existing lodge into a fully accessible four season conference centre. The project will create construction employment during the facility redevelopment and additional long-term employment once complete. Improvements will also help increase tourism in Rossland and the surrounding areas.

“On behalf of the 265 winter employees at Red Mountain Resort, we thank Western Economic Diversification for supporting our efforts in the preservation and expansion of one of the oldest day lodges in Canada. The new day lodge and conference center will not only benefit our customers who frequent the resort but the region as well,” said Howard Katkov, President and CEO of Red Mountain Resort.

A second investment of $488,220 through the Recreational Infrastructure Canada program (RInC) is helping the City of Rossland replace the roof of the Rossland Arena complex. The 1950s constructed facility is commonly referred to as having ‘B.C.’s best ice surface’ and hosts a wide variety of community skating, curling and hockey activities.

"The investment in the Rossland Arena will not only provide economic activity in our region, it will also guarantee the viability of a cornerstone of our Alpine Community," said Mayor Greg Granstrom, City of Rossland.

Total federal funding of $1,158,220 is being provided through RInC and CAF as part of Canada’s Economic Action Plan.

The Community Adjustment Fund will provide $306 million over two years to support the most affected western Canadian communities, such as those that are heavily reliant on resource-based industries. Western Economic Diversification Canada (WD) is delivering the fund in the four western provinces.

The Recreational Infrastructure Canada (RInC) program will invest $500 million in recreational facilities across Canada over a two-year period. It will provide a temporary economic stimulus that will help reduce the impacts of the global recession while renewing, upgrading and expanding recreational infrastructure in Canadian communities

Visit Canada’s Economic Action Plan for more information.