Public input sought in review of Pemberton and District Initiative Fund

Pemberton, BC – The Squamish-Lillooet Regional District (SLRD) is undertaking a review of the policy that guides the Pemberton and District Initiative Fund (PDIF) program and is inviting public input as part of this review.

Current, past and potential PDIF fund recipients are encouraged to participate in the review process by completing a brief survey, sharing their perspectives on potential areas for improvement and increased efficiencies in the program’s application, reporting, presentation and renewal processes.

Funded by the SLRD and the Village of Pemberton, the PDIF offers financial support through two separate streams: Economic Development and Arts, Culture and Recreation. This funding is available to eligible not-for-profit organizations operating within Pemberton and Electoral Area C of the SLRD. 

The fund is administered by the Pemberton Valley Utilities and Services (PVUS) Committee, an SLRD committee comprised of elected and appointed officials of Electoral Area C and the Village of Pemberton. The PDIF budget, developed and recommended by the PVUS Committee, is approved annually by the SLRD Board. Flexible funding options are designed to address the diverse needs of eligible community groups. Applicants can choose one of four types of funding: long-term funding, seed funding, one-time funding, and fee waivers related to Pemberton and District recreation facilities. Since its inception in 2020, PDIF has supported valuable community-driven initiatives.

“The Pemberton and District Initiative Fund has proven to be a tremendous asset for the community of Pemberton, and Electoral Area C of the SLRD,” said SLRD Board Chair, Jen Ford. “In order to make the best decisions for the future of this program, we need to hear from the communities that it serves,” she said. “Whether you’ve participated in the program, have been curious about it or even if this is the first time you’re hearing of the Pemberton and District Initiative Fund – we want to hear from you; please take a moment to provide your input through the survey, and help us shape the future of this important program.”

To find out more about the PDIF and this engagement opportunity, visit the SLRD’s online engagement platform.

To go directly to the survey: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/B3WY67L

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Located in southwestern BC, the Squamish-Lillooet Regional District (SLRD) is a local government federation consisting of four member municipalities (the District of Lillooet, the District of Squamish, the Village of Pemberton and the Resort Municipality of Whistler) and four unincorporated, rural electoral areas (A, B, C, and D). Headquartered in Pemberton, which is the approximate geographic centre of the region, the SLRD delivers a wide range of local, regional and sub-regional services to approximately 50,496 residents (2021 Census as certified by the Minister of Municipal Affairs).

The Squamish-Lillooet Regional District is found within the traditional territories of several First Nations, including the Sḵwx̱wú7mesh Úxwumixw (Squamish), St'át'imc and Líl̓wat. Small parts of the SLRD also overlap with the traditional territories of the Stó:lō, Tsleil-Waututh, Nlaka'pamux, Tsilhqot'in, and Secwepemc Nations. While the SLRD does not provide direct services to the residents of the First Nations communities located within the region, the organization is committed to enhancing relations with the Indigenous communities and First Nations within whose territories the SLRD operates.