Business grant trickles into place
Trout Lake embraces federal aid
April Hudson
Northern News Services
Thursday, June 18, 2015
SAMBAA K'E/TROUT LAKE
The community of Trout Lake is tapping into $145,000 by partnering with the federal government on a computer system upgrade.
On June 19, the federal government announced six initiatives to help communities take advantage of economic opportunities. Of those, the Sambaa K'e Dene Band's project to upgrade its information technology (IT) will cost a total of $181,250, with $145,000 of that coming from the Canadian Northern Economic Development Agency (CanNor).
According to the federal government, the project will "address the needs for a robust IT system and related procedures, training and protocols for the community, which will enhance its capacity to engage in economic development opportunities."
It is also expected to help Trout Lake benefit from increased resource development in the Deh Cho.
Nahendeh MLA Kevin Menicoche said the community itself is not looking to bring in any resource development, for fear of polluting the lake. Any opportunities that exist, he said, would be toward Fort Liard.
"In small communities, anything the government can do to stimulate the small business sector goes a long way," he said.
"In terms of employment for the community, small communities have employment levels around 30 per cent of people who are able to work, as opposed to larger centres such as Fort Simpson where 55 to 60 per cent of people work."
That, he said, is due largely to the lack of opportunity in small communities like Trout Lake.
Sambaa K'e band manager Ruby Jumbo said the band is still in the process of finalizing the project and wouldn't be able to comment until after that happens.
The community has been thinking about expanding its business sector for some time, however.
In May, they sent delegates to attend business workshops in Fort Simpson with the prospect of developing agricultural businesses, including the sale of produce and eggs.
At the time, Sambaa K'e member Carielyn Jumbo said the business sector is lacking in Trout Lake.
"There is currently not very much income and job security," she said.
This issue has persisted since the construction of Trout Lake's new airport ground to a halt in April due to lack of funding for a terminal. In response to calls from Menicoche for the territorial government to step in and get the project completed, the GNWT has suggested the airport be considered in the 2016-17 capital budget.
