Province caps 2024 rent increases at 3.5 percent citing increasing cost of living
The provincial government has announced that rent increases will be capped at 3.5 percent in 2024, representing a 1.5 percent increase in the limit from 2023.
Category: Economy
Province increases funding for post-secondary graduate scholarships
The provincial government is investing more than $15 million in graduate scholarships over three years, including funding scholarships of nearby schools like Kamloops’ Thompson Rivers University.
August dubbed ‘Downtown and Main Street Month’
Merritt’s downtown core is host to a number of businesses, services, and non-profits, and has been the target of revitalization efforts for many years.
Citxw Nlaka’pamux Assembly acquires historic City of Merritt courthouse
Looking to connect the community and provide a culturally safe environment, the Citxw Nlaka’pamux Assembly (CNA) has acquired the historic City of Merritt courthouse and will renovate it to house some of their programming.
Merritt’s visitor information centre sees increase in travellers for first half of 2023
A report to Merritt City Council at its most recent regular meeting shows that the number of visitors stopping in the Nicola Valley is up overall through the first six months of 2023.
Driving at work can be dangerous says provincial work safety initiative
A provincial safety initiative is reminding workers that the most dangerous thing they may be doing at work is driving – even if they only drive for work occasionally.
Princeton’s Copper Valley Music Fest to feature Merritt talent
The Princeton Community Arts Council has announced the return of its highly successful Copper Valley Music Festival for its second consecutive year, showcasing nine B.C. bands, musicians, and even some local Merritt talent.
Local bands receive provincial climate adaptation funding
The provincial government has announced that it will provide funding for nine community risk-reduction and climate-adaptation projects throughout B.C., including a six figure project in the Nicola Valley.
Local logging contractors pen letter to forestry minister
A group of logging contractors from the Nicola Valley have penned a letter to the provincial government regarding concerns with the province’s cutting permit referral process and high stumpage fees, along with economic and environmental worries over wildfire affected timber being left unharvested.
Province announces new extreme weather funding for farmers and ranchers
The provincial government announced in a recent press release that it is making new funding available to support farmers and ranchers become more resilient to flooding, wildfires, and extreme heat.
City council approves municipal budget, financial plan
The City of Merritt’s council has passed its 2023-2027 Financial Plan, setting the year’s budget in place and deciding a number of key tax rates for Merrittonians at its May 9 regular meeting.
B.C. nurses ratify new three year deal
Nurses in B.C. have ratified a new agreement with the provincial government, securing a three-year deal that spans from April 1, 2022 to March 31, 2025.
Fresh Finds program for budding local businesses
While entrepreneurship can often feel like a plunge, with business owners needing to drop everything to focus on their new business, a returning program by Community Futures Nicola Valley (CFNV) looks to give local entrepreneurs a chance to dip their toe in the water.
City budgeting process now well underway despite delays
The City of Merritt’s annual budget process is now well underway, delayed slightly by the city’s lack of a financial department head, flood recovery efforts, and a lack of finalized year end financials from 2022.
City council to decide use of provincial surplus windfall
The City of Merritt has received more than $2 million as a one-time payment as part of the $1 billion the provincial government is sending to municipalities from its $5.7 billion surplus.
Council seeking members for advisory committees
Merritt City Council sat down to determine which committees should be added, removed, or continued into their ongoing term at their April 4 Committee of the Whole meeting, and now they’re calling on the public to get involved.
B.C. general minimum wage increasing to mixed reactions
To mixed reactions, the provincial government has announced it will raise its general minimum wage by over $1 in the coming months.
NVIT faculty and staff ratify new collective agreement
The provincial government has announced that faculty and support staff of Merritt’s Nicola Valley Institute of Technology (NVIT) ratified a new collective agreement under the Shared Recovery Mandate.
Community Employment and Education fair coming to NVIT
A number of local organizations are partnering up to bring both education and employment resources to the community through a career fair at the Nicola Valley Institute of Technology in the coming weeks.
WorkSafeBC says workplace violence becoming more frequent
Looking to ensure worker safety amidst an increase in acts of violence, WorkSafeBC is reminding employers of their obligation to prevent the increasingly common occurrences, and keep employees safe.
