The Lower North Thompson Community Forest Society (LNTCFS) represents the communities of McLure, Louis Creek, Barriere, Little Fort and Chu Chua. Part of the LNTCFS’ mission statement is to “provide to the Lower North Thompson through sustainable forestry”. Profits provide revenue for much needed community enhancement within each of the participating areas by providing grants to not for profit organizations, scholarships and bursaries for graduating students.
Surplus revenue is disbursed annually by the LNTCFS through a granting process to local non-profit organizations. Grant applications are discussed by the board of directors before a decision is made as to the recipients for that year.
The LNTCFS awarded its first grants in 20011, with a total of $5,750 handed out. Since that time funds granted to community projects and groups, plus scholarships and bursaries for graduating students totals over $715,000. The LNTCFS has also supported the following large projects within the area; $150,000 to the Splash Pad in Barriere, $55,000 towards construction of the Barriere Search and Rescue Building.
Most recently, LNTCFS grants awarded from the December 2020 grant application intake total $50,000.
Lower North Thompson Community Forest Society 2020 Community Grants:
• Inland Draft & Teamster Association; funds to help support annual Fun Day including facility rentals, event promotion and catering $2,000 (requested $2,000)
• Barriere Fire Rescue Department; for the purchase of rope rescue equipment $7,000 (requested $9,000)
• Barriere First Responders; to purchase portable radio repeater equipment $4,500 (requested $4,500)
• Barriere Secondary School PAC; to support purchase of mobile demonstration table, electric kiln, Festool domino joiners, and helical cutting heads with carbide blades; $6,600 (requested $9,000)
• Barriere & District Heritage Society; to support the continuation of developing and exploring archival records, directors insurance, labor for paving stone placement and snow guard on roof at front of museum $4,200 (requested $5,000)
• B-Town Basketball; to support rental of curling rink for spring/summer basketball practices, purchase two outdoor basketball hoops and reduce camp costs for participants $4,000 (requested $4,000)
• Chu Chua Volunteer Fire Department; to support purchase of additional equipment for the department, including gas detectors, an infrared camera and a washing machine $8,000 (requested $10,000)
• Barriere Outdoor Club; to support purchase of a brush mower, and for excavator rental to complete site cleanup $6,000 (requested $7,000)
• North Thompson Fall Fair & Rodeo Association; to grant the balance of the NTFFRA’s zero interest loan relating to the horse barn $1,500 (requested $7,751.77)
•BC Ag Expo Society; to support delivery of the 2021 BC Ag Expo for 4-H $5,000 (requested $5,000)
• Little Fort Recreation Society; to support purchase of an Automated External Defibrilllator (AED) for the hall $0.00 (requested $1,300) NOTE: the TNRD funded the $1,300
• Barriere Elementary PAC to support purchase of paint for sea-can mural, and for new swing set behind the school $1,200 (requested $5,269.49) NOTE: the TNRD funded the swingset for $4,043.20
LNTCFS Grant totals: Requested: $69,821.26 Funded: $50,000
TNRD funded: $2,743.20
