As people and communities in the Columbia Basin faced challenges over the last year, Columbia Basin Trust was humbled by the resiliency, strength, and the continued innovation and hard work by so many across this region, as evidenced in the release of the Trust’s annual report.
“We’re thankful the Trust had the resources to support Basin communities during an extraordinarily difficult time,” said Johnny Strilaeff, Columbia Basin Trust President and CEO. “We commend the resiliency of all the dedicated residents, organizations and communities during this unprecedented public health crisis. As the pandemic has evolved and put challenges in front of all of us, we’ve navigated it together, as a region. This has made us truly appreciate the strength and power of a region coming together.”
In 2020/21, revenues rose to $88.2 million thanks to the increased performance and reliability of the Trust’s hydroelectric facilities, jointly owned with Columbia Power Corporation. The Trust provided $71.2 million to support the region with over 2,400 projects. This included $58.2 million in grants and initiatives and $13 million in capital investments (e.g. broadband infrastructure), loans to businesses and real estate.
Part of this spending addressed the needs created by the pandemic. The Trust provided nearly $12 million to support First Nations, Metis associations, food banks, local farmers’ markets, food recovery programs, community social service agencies, child care operators, housing societies and hospices in the Basin.
The Trust also made progress on it’s new Columbia Basin Management Plan Strategic Priorities including six new programs to support workforce development, aiding small businesses acquire up-to-date technology, increasing Basin residents’ access to locally produced food, and actions towards building climate resiliency such as alternative energy generation and retrofits at affordable housing units, and continued work with Indigenous Peoples such as creating and upgrading housing units.
Learn more in the Trust’s newly released 2020/21 Annual Service Plan Report.
To hear more about the Trust’s work and to celebrate the work of people and communities over the past year, the Trust invites you to attend its online Annual General Meeting on September 24, 2021, from 4 to 5 p.m. PT/5 to 6 p.m. MT.
During the virtual event, Board Chair Jocelyn Carver and President and CEO Johnny Strilaeff will share highlights of the annual report with examples of how the Trust supported projects and initiatives that impacted the region. They will also welcome questions and comments.
“Each year, we look forward to this opportunity to connect with people in the Basin and share details about the Trust’s work and the community efforts it supports,” said Strilaeff. “Even though we are unable to gather together in person, we welcome anyone to join us for this free event.”
To register, visit ourtrust.org/agm. Register by September 15, 2021, and you’ll receive a meeting package with a locally sourced snack and be entered to win one of three baskets filled with Basin products valued at over $200.
Columbia Basin Trust supports the ideas and efforts of the people in the Columbia Basin. To learn more about the Trust’s programs and initiatives, and how it helps deliver social, economic and environmental benefits to the Basin, visit ourtrust.org or call 1.800.505.8998.
