9.54°C Vancouver

Jul 24, 2025 5:44 PM - Connect Newsroom

More support on the way to strengthen rural communities

Share On

Rural and remote communities, First Nations and not-for-profit organizations can submit applications to fund projects that strengthen and diversify their economies.

This is through the Rural Economic Diversification and Infrastructure Program (REDIP). The fourth intake opened on Thursday, July 24, 2025, and runs until Oct. 31, 2025.

In its first three years, REDIP will have invested as much as $142 million in more than 450 projects throughout B.C. that will create an estimated 7,000 jobs in rural areas. These projects promote economic diversification, resilience, clean-economy opportunities and infrastructure development.

Communities can receive funding through four streams:

  • capacity – helps communities build internal capacity for economic development by providing up to $50,000 per year for up to three years and access to development funding of up to $100,000 to launch priority projects;
  • development – supports business planning, feasibility assessments and other developmental steps for business and economic diversification opportunities in rural B.C., up to $100,000;
  • implementation - supports the development of new economic infrastructure and the implementation of economic services, programming or operations directly related to diversification in rural communities, up to $1 million; and
  • community transition – supports communities experiencing a major economic change resulting from the loss of a major employer or linked to major projects in the province.

Latest news

richmond-rcmp-steps-up-patrols-to-ensure-a-safe-halloween-night
BCOct 27, 2025

Richmond RCMP steps up patrols to ensure a safe Halloween night

Richmond RCMP is reminding families to take extra precautions this Halloween as officers increase patrols across the city to help keep trick-or-treaters safe. Police say additional officers and community policing volunteers will be out on the streets to support public safety and engage with residents. The detachment says the focus this year will be on visibility and prevention, with patrols targeting busy residential areas where children are expected to be out after dark. Officers will also monitor for unsafe or suspicious behaviour and enforce the city’s ban on fireworks. Under Richmond’s
number-of-extortion-related-files-in-surrey-reaches-74-with-39-shooting-related
BCOct 27, 2025

Number of extortion related files in Surrey reaches 74 with 39 shooting related

The number of extortion related files with Surrey police in 2025 has reached 74. Of these, 39 cases were shooting related. Just around a couple of weeks ago, this number was reported to have reached 57. Meanwhile, shots were also fired in the 7800 block of 124 Street in Surrey at around 2:45 a.m. yesterday (Sunday, Oct. 25). There were people inside the house at the time of the incident, but no one was injured. It has not yet been confirmed that this incident is related to extortion, although the matter is suspected to be extortion-related. Connect FM reached out to Staff Sgt. Lindsey Hough
surreys-133million-cloverdale-recreation-centre-is-now-open
BCOct 27, 2025

Surrey's $133million Cloverdale recreation centre is now open

This past weekend, the City of Surrey officially opened the Cloverdale Sport & Ice Complex. Surrey's newest recreation and sporting facility is conveniently located in the heart of Cloverdale's community near 62nd Avenue and 177 street. This facility has two sheets of ice, skate and helmet rentals, skate sharpening, multipurpose rooms, food services, and free parking. (Image - City of Surrey)This fully-accessible facility offers registered and drop-in arena programs for everyone in the community from preschool to seniors. Construction began in Summer 2022. The project was designed by TK
u-s-to-begin-mandatory-photo-collection-for-all-non-citizens-including-canadians
CanadaOct 27, 2025

U.S. to Begin Mandatory Photo Collection for All Non-Citizens, Including Canadians

The United States government will soon require all non-citizens, including Canadians, to have their photos taken when entering or leaving the country under new security regulations announced by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS). According to a notice published in the Federal Register, the policy will take effect on December 26, though officials acknowledge full implementation could take several years. The DHS says the updated rule aims to strengthen border security and prevent visitors from overstaying their visas. Under the new system, U.S. Customs and Border Protection will expand it
BCOct 27, 2025

One dead after car crashes into Prince George home

A driver has died after a vehicle crashed into a house in Prince George on Saturday afternoon. Prince George RCMP say officers were called to a home on Queensway around 2 p.m. on October 25, where they found a single vehicle had collided with the front of the residence. Two people were inside the home at the time but were not injured. BC Emergency Health Services transported both the driver and a passenger to hospital. Police say the driver later died from their injuries, while the passenger sustained non-life-threatening injuries. Corporal Jennifer Cooper, spokesperson for Prince George RCMP,

Related News