Canadian Red Cross director of disaster management for the province Elysia Demsey encourages people to apply for the new grant programs announced Monday for small businesses and community organizations impacted by the wildfires.
Through funding from the Province of B.C., emergency financial assistance of $1,500 will be available to eligible businesses, not-for-profit organizations and community-driven efforts for recovery and resiliency.
Forests Minister Doug Donaldson announced Monday the grants will be administered through the Red Cross.
They will be available to First Nations communities and non-profits affected by fires and highway closures.
Businesses and organizations along Highway 20, evacuation areas on Highway 97 south of Prince George, Highway 26 to Barkerville and the eastern Cariboo Regional District communities of Horsefly and Likely.
The eligibility will be reviewed and adjusted as conditions change, but the government wants to get the program going as soon as possible, Donaldson said.
Applications are open and available at www.redcross.ca.
The Red Cross has a small business phone helpline at 1-855-999-3345. Phone service is available Monday to Friday between 6 a.m. and 5 p.m.
Eligible organizations are those with 50 employers or fewer, have an income of less than $250,000 per year, have been in operation on or before July 7, 2017 and have resumed operations or are intending to restart as soon as possible.
Speaking at the Resiliency Centre in Boitanio Mall, Wednesday Demsey said they are trying to get the message out to people about the funding.
“We here in Williams Lake today spending some time and overseeing how we can ensure we are providing quality service,” she said.
With many of the evacuation orders downgraded to alerts Tuesday afternoon, more evacuees are coming into the Resiliency Centre seeking supports.
“If anyone has not already registered with the Red Cross initially we are advising them to do that to receive their initial $600 support. People can also access $300 upon re-entry as well as cleanup and after-the-fire kits.”
People with outstanding needs are encouraged to come in and meet with a Red Cross caseworker to see if there are other ways they can receive supports, she added.
There are still some people who have not received the $600, she confirmed.
“We are working with them diligently to find out what might have occurred and we are still having new registrations coming in daily,” Demsey said.