Squamish Nation chiefs and council have voted to greenlight a controversial proposal that will see six digital billboards erected on reserve land near local roadways.

Displaying a new image every 10 seconds, the digital signage should be up and running by December, the band announced in a release today.

Chief Gibby Jacob said the revenue from the signs, which officials have placed in the multi-million range over several decades, will support social and education programs. Gibby added "the billboards are merely one source of revenue among many that we will be developing to sustain the needs of our growing population.”

Senior operating officer Toby Baker said the band won't erect any more billboards after December.

"We're not in the billboard business, but we're in the business of meeting membership needs," he said, citing "continued negative feedback" over the signs. "The goal is not to grow it (the billboards) any larger."

Last month Baker told The Outlook the revenue from the signs will kick start development projects on reserve land, including a proposed Seymour Creek shopping mall. The First Nation band could finalize mall construction plans in the next year and a half, Baker said.

Last month the Squamish Nation announced the federal government had approved the proposal for the digital signs in three locations – south-side at the Burrard Street bridge in Vancouver, eastbound on Marine Drive in North Vancouver near Capilano Road, and at the North Shore base of the Ironworkers Memorial bridge.

Astral Media Outdoor will operate the billboards.

kmcmanus@northshoreoutlook.com