OLIVER, BRITISH COLUMBIA -- (Marketwire) -- 11/14/12 -- Today, Dan Albas, Member of Parliament for Okanagan - Coquihalla, on behalf of the Honourable Lynne Yelich, Minister of State for Western Economic Diversification, announced $44,886 in federal funding for the Oliver Museum under the Harper Government's Community Infrastructure Improvement Fund (CIIF).

"I am proud to see Oliver benefit from the Community Infrastructure Improvement Fund," said MP Albas. "By investing in projects such as this one, the Harper Government will help to create jobs and growth, and will support the prosperity of the community for years to come."

Funding will help the Oliver and District Heritage Society improve the Oliver Museum. Renovations will include creating one multipurpose community and volunteer room, renovating washrooms, replacing the HVAC system and building a new storage facility for museum artifacts.

"With the support of the Community Infrastructure Improvement Fund, the Oliver and District Heritage Society will attain its goal of converting the traditional museum into a vibrant gathering place for heritage interests and cultural activities with accessible exhibits and interactive programs for all ages," said Tracy Johnson, Community Heritage Manager. "This project will enable us to become a more community-focused and modern heritage centre for residents, volunteers and visitors in our South Okanagan community."

CIIF supports, on a cost-shared basis, repairs and improvements to existing community infrastructure accessible to the public. Western Economic Diversification Canada (WD) is delivering the Fund in Western Canada with an allocation of $46.2 million over two years.

Since 2006, the Harper Government, through WD, has invested in job-creating small and medium-sized businesses, aerospace, marine and defence industries, and supported innovative entrepreneurs in pursuing emerging markets. By continuing to promote new economic opportunities, WD is helping to create jobs, economic growth, and long-term prosperity.

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A Stronger West. A Stronger Canada.

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Backgrounder

Community Infrastructure Improvement Fund

Through the Community Infrastructure Improvement Fund (CIIF), the Harper Government has committed to supporting communities and creating jobs through repairs and improvements to existing community facilities over the next two years. The Fund is being delivered by the regional development agencies across Canada. In Western Canada, Western Economic Diversification is delivering over $46 million towards eligible projects.

The construction of new infrastructure and repairs to facilities that are primarily for commercial or for-profit activities are ineligible. Facilities must be accessible for use by the public and not limited to a private membership. All projects are required to be completed by March 31, 2014.

Organizations eligible to apply for funding under CIIF include:

--  local or regional governments or related agencies; 
--  provincial entities that provide municipal-type services to communities;
--  non-profit organizations; and 
--  First Nation governments, including Band or Tribal Councils or their
    legally-designated representatives. 

Examples of the type of community infrastructure that can be supported under CIIF include:

--  community centres; 
--  cultural centres; 
--  parks; 
--  libraries; 
--  recreational facilities (e.g. local arenas, swimming pools, sports
    fields, and other types of recreational facilities); 
--  tourism facilities having a local impact; and 
--  other existing community infrastructure assets which have a local
    community impact such as connectivity and broadband and local airports. 

Please refer to the Community Infrastructure Improvement Fund website for more information.