Provincial funding strengthens Kootenay region as hub for critical-metals innovation, good jobs
By Province of British Columbia
With provincial support, a new critical-metals hub is being created in the Kootenays to put local businesses in a better position to grow and create jobs by seizing new opportunities created through new, nearby major mining projects.
“Critical metals are essential to the clean economy and B.C. is well positioned to be a leader in this growing sector,” said Ravi Kahlon, Minister of Jobs and Economic Growth. “This investment will help create good-paying jobs, support innovation and strengthen local communities for years to come. Through our Look West strategy, we are helping people benefit from a stronger economy by moving projects forward, creating new opportunities and ensuring British Columbians have the skills they need to succeed.”
Through the Rural Economic Diversification and Infrastructure Program, the Province is providing $300,300 to the Lower Columbia Community Development Team Society for its Advancing Critical Metal Tech Alley initiative.
This initiative was designed to:
- attract investment
- support business to find new ways to grow and create jobs
- expand the region’s production of high-value critical-metals products
Supporting economic growth through critical-metals innovation
The critical-metals hub will focus on finding new ways to help companies:
- recover critical metals from recycled materials and process them
- expand promising technologies
- bring new products to market
The initiative will bring together industry partners to conduct research, provide training to help businesses attract investment and promote opportunities in the region to potential investors.
“This investment is a significant vote of confidence in our region and our role in Canada’s critical-minerals future,” said Cam Whitehead, executive director, Lower Columbia Community Development Team Society. “Through Metal Tech Alley, we are bringing together industry, researchers, entrepreneurs and communities to build a globally recognized hub for critical-metals innovation, recovery and commercialization. The Rural Economic Diversification and Infrastructure Program funding will help us strengthen regional collaboration, attract new investment, support business growth and create high-value economic opportunities that will benefit communities throughout the Kootenays and beyond.”
The initiative supports clean economic growth by exploring opportunities to produce more value-added critical metals from recycled materials. It is expected to create jobs opportunities in the region, including one permanent, highly skilled position, four part-time research positions and five part-time specialized consultant roles.
Together, these efforts will help strengthen the Kootenay region as a centre for critical-metals innovation, attract investment, support businesses and create jobs, while advancing clean economic growth.
“The Kootenays have a long history of innovation in the metals sector and this initiative will help build on that strength,” said Steve Morissette, MLA for Kootenay-Monashee. “By supporting innovation, attracting investment and helping local businesses grow, the funding will strengthen the regional economy and help create good jobs close to home.”
Supporting economic diversification
The Rural Economic Diversification and Infrastructure Program:
- supports economic diversification and resilience
- strengthens economic capacity
- supports infrastructure development in rural and Indigenous communities throughout B.C.
Since 2022, the Province has invested $156.5 million through the program, supporting 525 projects throughout B.C. creating an estimated 7,500 jobs in rural communities.
Learn More:
- To learn more about the Rural Economic Diversification and Infrastructure Program and see the lists of approved projects, visit: https://gov.bc.ca/redip
