Eligible Applicants

Project proponents must be located in a fishing-dependant coastal community and be a registered or incorporated, not-for-profit entity, such as:

• An industry association,
• Municipality or Regional District
• First Nation Band or Tribal Council,
• Research or educational institution,
• Economic development corporation,
• Not for profit society.

Applications from Band owned businesses and non-profit social enterprises will be considered on a case-by-case basis. They must demonstrate that the proposed enterprise will not disturb the competitive balance of the specific industry in the region. Applicants must show in a verifiable way that all of the proposed enterprise’s financial profits will return to the community or to the organization’s social purpose.

Eligible Activities (examples)

Projects Within an Oceans-Based Context:
• Experimental harvesting of new, under-utilized or alternative species
• Experimental fisheries
• Fin-fish and shell-fish aqua-culture pilot projects or research and development
• Technology transfers
• Pre-commercial/demonstration fish processing (pilot testing)
• Tourism product development (non-profit)
• Eco-tourism proposals

Infrastructure Development Projects:
• Marine transportation infrastructure (i.e. wharves,
harbours)
• Marine research facilities
• Development of museums, archeological and historical sites intended to be tourism attractions for the region
• Municipal water and sewage systems needed for a specific economic development purpose (not residential development)
• Waterfront walkways or park-like attractions

Funding Criteria

All projects must:

• Help diversify the local economy without adversely affecting the economies of neighbouring communities;
• Have tangible long-term direct economic benefits including employment creation or enhancement, incremental income or businesses and government revenues within an identifiable time frame;
• Focus on long-term benefits that lead to sustainable development within the region.
• Have broad, demonstrated community support and be consistent with the communities’ Community Economic Development strategy;
• Leverage other private and public program funding;
• Not request funding for activities which can be      covered by existing programs;
• Be environmentally sound and not increase pressure on marine resources;
• Demonstrate that infrastructure projects will lead to realization of an economic development opportunity.

Project Funding

WestCCAP can contribute a maximum of $250,000 towards each eligible project to a maximum of 60% of assisted project costs. The remaining 40% must be arranged by the proponent, of which at least 10% of assisted project costs must be in the form of cash.  The balance can be additional contributions from the proponent, matching funds from another funding agency, or in-kind contributions. Funding from community sources other than the proponent can be considered evidence of community support and may improve the chances of approval.  Please note that in-kind contributions must be toward a direct, eligible cost of the project, must be tangible, and must be capable of being objectively valuated.

Examples of Eligible (assisted) costs:

• Wages and benefits
• Equipment rentals
• Materials and supplies
• Contractor fees
• Transportation and travel
• Consulting costs for planning activities necessary for the completion of the projects and that do not exceed 10% of assisted project costs
• Other costs that can be capitalized according to Generally Accepted Accounting Practises

Examples of Ineligible (non-assisted) costs:

• Pro-forma administration fees
• Meeting, conference, and hospitality expenses, including honoraria
• Non-arms length transactions
• Land and real estate purchases
• Costs incurred prior to the date of signing the contribution agreement

Ineligible Projects

• Subsidize business.
• Do not have economic benefits.
• Can be more appropriately funded by other existing programs.
• Will cause an inappropriate net increase in the pressure placed on salmon and other fish stocks.
• Violate any environmental or fisheries acts, regulations or policies.
• Involve purchase of land or shares.
• Involve the refinancing of all or any part of a debt.
• Are solely aimed at achieving social or     environmental rather than economic objectives.
• Are core funding to support the on-going operations of an organization.
• Are inconsistent with the purposes of WestCCAP.

The following are examples of  projects that came before the  previous  CEAI Steering Committee and did not get funding.  Again, these represent the kinds of requests that will be ineligible for  funding  under the  new WCCAP program.

• Funds requested to purchase a building, renovate and equip it for an eighty bed residential facility to house student athletes. The project was    rejected as the Committee felt the    proponent had not established an   adequate market for the project nor established that the project was economically viable.