The provincial and federal governments are investing more than $14 million to provide jobs in 45 projects throughout the province.

In the 100 Mile House area, J. Hinsche Contracting Ltd. got total funding of $780,331 — $273,116 of that from the province — to complete brushing and wood-chipping work along designated highway locations to improve the visibility of wildlife and improve safety for commuters from wildlife collisions along Highway 97.

Integrated ProAction Corp. is getting $616,650 — split evenly from the federal and provincial governments — to improve safety and usability of a number of recreation sites within the 100 Mile House area.

The project is expected to increase tourism and as a result the local economy will benefit.

A project worth over $620,000 with Barkerville Heritage Trust will protect the townsite from forest fires and restore several old buildings.

Work activities will include tending eight hectares as identified in the Wildfire Protection Plan for the community adjacent to the historic town site, spacing, thinning and other fuel reduction for the area.

There will be restoration work and upgrades to a number of buildings, equipment, trails and site maintenance.

Handicap accessibility of existing heritage boardwalks and ramps will be improved.

Cathy McLeod, Kamloops-Thompson-Cariboo, on behalf of Lynne Yelich, minister of State for Western Economic Diversification, and Kevin Krueger, minister of Tourism, Culture and the Arts, on behalf of Bill Bennett, minister of Community and Rural Development made the announcement Sept. 8.

“Investments such as these are creating and protecting jobs,” said McLeod.