The B.C. government has handed nearly $1.23 million to three lumber-industry enterprises in Revelstoke, with the intent of funding projects that boost sustainable innovation and steer logging away from old-growth sites.

The Ministry of Jobs, Economic Development and Innovation recently announced Downie Timber Ltd., its remanufacturing arm Selkirk Cedar, and Big Eddy Machine Shop as the city's recipients for its BC Manufacturing Jobs Fund.

The funding objective is "helping manufacturing companies modernize, innovate, and grow by providing funding for capital projects in all regions in B.C., particularly in communities affected by economic impacts or downturns," according to the provincial government webpage.

"There is a particular focus on helping the forestry sector retrofit and develop new, sustainable value-added business lines that reduce dependency on old-growth logging and make innovative use of biomaterials," it reads.

Downie Timber, the major sawmill in Revelstoke, earned $825,000 to buy and commission a new debarker system that can process small-profile logs, which will help "protect" an estimated 229 jobs. Black Press Media has reached out for comment.

Selkirk Cedar, part of Downie Timber, handles rough-cut and unfinished lumber products produced by Gorman Bros. Lumber Ltd. and is receiving $250,000. This goes toward upgrading Selkirk Cedar's laminator system for wood panels and posts, which will increase the amount of wood fibre used and create three jobs.

Big Eddy Machine Shop, which specializes in forestry repair and railway maintenance equipment, gets $152,270 to finance a large CNC machine that will improve milling efficiency, accommodate a new product line, and add a job. Black Press Media has reached out to the shop for details on what this new product line entails.

The B.C. government will make first payments within four weeks of funding recipients signing their contribution agreement.

More to come.