Better disaster mitigation is coming for Grand Forks thanks to funding from the province.

The city's Kettle River industrial dike mitigation program is getting a $1.6 million investment from the Community Emergency Preparedness Fund (CEPF) through the Disaster Risk Reduction - Climate Adaptation stream, according to a news release. This funding will help Grand Forks and several other communities tackle current risks, minimize damage from future disasters and support communities to make informed decisions in the future.

"It is vital that our communities are prepared for the risk of disasters." says Boundary-Similkameen MLA Roly Russell. "Our communities simply cannot afford to ignore climate change, given the immense costs of disasters. By investing in dike works in Grand Forks and creek infrastructure in Oliver, we are helping mitigate risk and building more vibrant economies."

Oliver is the other Boundary-Similkameen city receiving funding for Infrastructure improvements along Wolfcub Creek with a $150,000 investment.

In total, 65 communities across B.C. will receive approximately $56 million for 78 projects from CEPF through the Disaster Risk Reduction - Climate Adaptation stream. 

The CEPF helps communities to be better prepared for and manage impacts from climate-related emergencies by funding local projects and initiatives in several categories, the release stated. These include disaster-risk reduction and climate adaptation, public notification and evacuation-route planning, and emergency operations centre equipment and training.

The province has invested $369 million into the CEPF since its establishment in 2017, with about $279 million has been provided to local governments and First Nations through the CEPF for approximately 2,100 projects. This includes approximately $176 million to support disaster-mitigation and climate-adaptation projects.