How would you spend more than half a million dollars?
By Contributor
Lower Columbia (Trail, Rossland, Warfield, Montrose, Fruitvale, Area A and B) residents will be askedto participate in a regional survey to provide input regarding the priorities and specific actions to help guide the Lower Columbia Community Development Team Society (LCCDTS) in allocating $600,000 in funding, over the next three years under the Columbia Basin Trust (CBT) Community Directed Funds (CDF) Program.
The LCCDTS has launched the development of the Lower Columbia Priorities Plan, which will establish the key strategic priorities that will provide the committee with direction on how to distribute these funds which must fulfill the CBT’s mandate and the CDF vision. The mandate of the CBT is to “support efforts by the people of the Basin to create a legacy of social, economic and environmental well-being and to achieve greater self-sufficiency for present and future generations” and the vision of the CDF committee is“a stronger Lower Columbia Community through investment in creative initiatives.” The Whistler Centre for Sustainability has been hired to guide the planning and public engagement process.
“As a Committee, we want to get the funds out working for the community, focused on what residents say is important and where they will have the greatest impact,” said Bruce LeRose, CDF Committee Chair. “To achieve this, we are dedicated to delivering a public consultation process that is efficient, open and transparent. The process will bring our communities together to provide input to the Committee on where the funds should be allocated.”
A public survey is the first opportunity for the public to provide input, with a number of community events and focus groups to come in October.
The short 10-minute survey asks residents a number of questions about the Lower Columbia, including their priorities for spending a half million dollars. The input will be used to inform the development of the strategic priorities to guide the allocation of the $600,000. The survey closes September 21, 2014. Lower Columbia residents who take the survey can enter for a chance to win one of two $75 gift certificates to Ferraro Foods.
There are three ways to access the survey:
1. Visit www.lccdts.com/prioritiesplan
2. Scan the QR code (not available in this version).
3. Paper surveys available at Municipal Offices and the Chamber of Commerce offices in Trail and Rossland
Learn more about the project at www.lccdts.com/prioritiesplan or receive project updates and event notices by liking the Lower Columbia Priorities Plan Facebook page. Notices will also be released through local media channels.
