Northwest Regional Airport Terrace-Kitimat is among 11 airports in B.C. which will receive federal funding from the federal government as part of its pandemic recovery roll out.
The Terrace-Kitimat airport will receive $1,183,053 out of the $11.7 million dispersed by Western Economic Diversification Canada (WEDC).
The funding stream comes under the federal government’s Regional Air Transportation Initiative – launched in March this year – that will enable such airports to overcome challenges that were brought on by the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Federal Economic Development Minister, Mélanie Joly, who is responsible for WEDC announced the funding in July as part of the government’s plan for a strong economic recovery since regional air transportation is key to economic development of communities and businesses.
“It is important to protect our regional air transportation for the thousands of workers employed by this sector and for the many businesses and communities that depend on it,” said Joly in a statement. “Air connectivity makes our regions accessible to Canadians who want to settle there and is key in moving our businesses’ products to their destination markets.”
The Prince Rupert Airport Authority will receive $503,427. Other airports in northern B.C. such as the Prince George Airport Authority and North Peace Airport Society in Fort St. John will receive $1,297,965 and $1,212,750 each.
Airports in Comox, Sidney, Bella Coola, Nanaimo, Kamloops, Golden, and Cassidy are also included in the funding list.