BC Peace Agricultural Compensation Fund launches new iteration of Impact and Opportunities Initiative

FORT ST. JOHN, B.C. — BC Hydro’s Peace Agricultural Compensation Fund (PACF) has launched a new version of an initiative that was last seen in 2022, funding long-term projects in the area.

According to a January 14th announcement from PACF, the $1 million Impact and Opportunities Initiative (IOI) will reportedly focus on “large-scale projects that provide long-term, sustainable opportunities for agriculture and agrifoods economic activity in the Peace region.”

“The 2025 Impact and Opportunities Initiative is made possible by BC Hydro’s $20 million Peace Agricultural Compensation Fund,” says BC Hydro CEO Chris O’Riley.

“To date, this fund has invested more than $3.6 million into the agricultural sector in the Peace region, directly benefiting over 115 separate projects.”

Eligible applicants for the IOI include registered non-profit organizations, agricultural producer groups, cooperatives, and other groups focused on advancing the region’s agriculture.

“Proposals will be evaluated based on their potential to deliver long-term benefits, promote sustainable practices, and strengthen the region’s agricultural economy,” the release states. 

Proposals for the IOI will open on January 20th, 2025, and completed proposal packages will be accepted until 4:30 p.m. on March 31st.

Funding decisions for the initiative will be announced in August this year. 

According to the PACF, this year’s funding builds on the success of a previous initiative launched in 2022.

In that iteration of the IOI, the Fort St. John Seed Cleaning Cooperative Association was awarded $746,000 to improve its seed-cleaning plant.

Another $254,000 also went to the South Peace Grain Cleaning Cooperative Association in 2022, to purchase and install an advanced optical sorting machine in Dawson Creek.

More information on the initiative can be found here.