Common sense leadership, Positive, energetic and passionate about growing our area through investment and collaboration. The past 4 years I have been proud to represent the diversity of Area B and to have been given the opportunity to engage in projects that have seen completions and attract new investment.
When I reflect on the top achievements, I feel like we have just started and they is so much more to come. The first achievement is the completion of the Arrow Creek Water mainline project that received over 8 million dollars in funding through Provincial and Federal grants and has taken over 12 years to complete. The second, Fields Forward, which has expanded from an agriculture initiative supporting a vibrant local food system that was successful in receiving almost a half a million dollars towards the purchase and support of the mobile fruit press in its first year of operation and that has just recently launched Kootenay Farms Marketplace, which is an online sales platform that producers can use to sell their products and residents and business can use to purchase from producers in one networking system.
The third, the devolvement of our Economic Action Partnership that is a collaboration between the 3 regional districts jurisdiction and the Town of Creston. This project was successful in receiving the Provincial grant through the Rural Dividend program and we have just submitted our second application for Phase 2. Finally, the investment in our second Structure Protection Unit that Canyon Lister Fire Department was able to purchase through our volunteers working with the Provincial Wildfire Services. This investment was at no cost to the taxpayer and our volunteers are being recognized as provincial leaders.
Initiatives that will be some of my focus if re-elected are the following: completing the review of the Regional Fire Service, with input from our two Area B Volunteer Departments and including the possible expansion of service to Kitchener; The Lister Water Masterplan Review that creates a grant-ready infrastructure plan to expand service area for residents and the airport. The Erickson hydrant certification and expansion project, which will see the possible reduction of house insurance cost for the residents in the service area. Working with each community association to support and maintain the great opportunities each of our association add to our valley.
The next four years are going to be challenging and critical to the success, growth, and sustainability of Area B. With 10 years experience in local government, I have been able to build relationships with all levels of government that have proven to be successful in obtaining funding for Area B and the entire valley. Fiscal responsibility includes leveraging funding to ensure that we invest in the right projects. Supporting our volunteers and community groups that offer so much to our valley and create a connection to the community. On October 20th I am asking for your support to re-elect me as your RDCK Director and to allow me to continue to complete the projects that we have unfinished.