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Friends of Bouchie - Milburn Society


Est. 2017

NEWS RELEASE
January 18, 2019

For Immediate Release

$10,000 GRANT RECEIVED UNDER THE BC RURAL DIVIDEND FUND TO

SUPPORT THE DEVELOPMENT OF A COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT PLAN FOR
BOUCHIE - MILBURN

Bouchie Lake, BC: The Friends of Bouchie-Milburn Society / FoBM is excited to

announce that they have successfully secured a $10,000.00 grant from the Province of
British Columbia to support the Bouchie-Milburn Community Planning Team / CPT with
the development of a Community Development Plan for Bouchie-Milburn. The grant
received is under the BC Rural Dividend Fund “Project Development” funding stream
which was applied for in July, 2018.

The CPT is composed of volunteers and first met in April, 2018. In June, 2018, the
group adopted the following Mission Statement: “To bring Bouchie-Milburn community
residents together as involved members of the Community Planning Team. The Team
will have a collaborative voice in the planning, organizing, implementing any, and all,
community development and initiatives, that the either promote or hinder the growth of
our immediate area. This grassroots team will work together to promote growth,
inclusion, transparency, and non-partisan community involvement”.

The goal is that Community Planning process be collaborative, inclusive, community led
and built. It will build capacity in our community in that it will discuss, review and
address issues such as demographics, resident retention, quality of life, safety,
recreation, infrastructure and facility improvements, housing, lake health and access,
fire protection, community emergency services and evacuation, economic development,
heritage, fire smarting, beautification, trails and green spaces, taxation, government
services, and roads and transportation. The outcome will be that it will “Provide a
VISION of what we would like our community to look like; Set clear GOALS to achieve
the VISION; and Develop an ACTION PLAN to reach the GOALS”. Through accessing
the funding support through the Rural Dividend Fund, the Friends of Bouchie-Milburn
Society has brought funding into our community to support this important process
thereby expediting it, establishing specific deliverables, and reducing the burden on
volunteers.

The “Project Development Funding Stream” is focused on supporting communities with

limited capacity to undertake preliminary work to develop strong future projects.
Through this project, resources, capabilities and capacities for our community will be
built to identify priorities, challenges and opportunities. For additional information on the



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Friends of Bouchie - Milburn Society

Est. 2017




BC Rural Dividend Fund, go to https://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/employment-
business/economic-development/support-organizations-community-partners/rural-
economic-development/rural-dividend

The Friends of Bouchie-Milburn Society was established in the autumn of 2017. The
group’s Mission Statement is to support and unite our community and focus our
collective energy on desired projects, events and celebrations that improve the health,
liveability, education, safety, and welfare of all Bouchie Lake and Milburn Lake residents
through inclusion, kindness and collaboration. For additional information on the Friends of
Bouchie - Milburn Society, please email bouchielakefriends@gmail.com





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MEDIA CONTACTS

Heloise Dixon-Warren

250.249.5329

Leslie Holland

250.249.5430