BC Government Announces New Funding for Value-Added Wood Producers and Manufacturers in the Kootenays

British Columbia Minster of Jobs Economic Development and Innovation Brenda Bailey announced on Wednesday (10-25-23) new funding for value-added wood producers and manufacturing in the Kootenays that will protect workforces and support strong communities.

In a press release, Bailey said, “Strengthening rural, value-added businesses is critical to helping people live and work in the communities they love. That’s why we are supporting companies that add value to BC wood so they can continue to provide long-lasting, high-quality jobs for people in communities around BC.”

The BC Manufacturing Jobs Fund is investing approximately $500,000 (CAD) in Kootenay businesses to help them innovate for the future. As much as $400,000 will support a capital improvement project by Creston’s J.H. Huscroft Ltd., a value-added specialty manufacture of glulam, trim, boarding, and flooring. The company intends to use the fundings to purchase and replace equipment that will boost productivity and capacity at its sawmill, protecting 75 jobs and expanding the types of logs that can be processed.

Funding will also include nearly $40,000 for Trail’s Advanced BioCarbon 3D to examine expansion possibilities and potential new equipment to better process agricultural, forestry, and plastic waste to upcycle into higher-value products.