CBT 2010/11 Annual Report and 2011 Report to Residents Highlights

To learn more about individual projects funded, visit CBT's website and search by program, community, organization, etc.

• CBT hosted the 2010 Columbia Basin Symposium, engaging residents to discuss the future of the Basin while exploring current issues.
• CBT and Selkirk College committed to an eight-year partnership to establish the Columbia Basin Rural Development Institute (RDI), which will promote and support informed planning and decision-making in the Basin. CBT committed $330,000 for 2011/2012 to the RDI.
• CBT's Summer Works Program was expanded in 2010/11, with funding increased to allow 30 additional students to be hired for a total of 148 summer students.
• CBT sought extensive input to prepare its Youth Initiatives Strategic Plan for 2011 - 2016, which identifies issues for CBT to address and potential roles CBT can play over the next five years.
• CBT continues to support community-initiated and supported environmental projects that aim to reduce the impact humans have on local and regional ecosystems through Environmental Initiatives.
• Twenty-two local governments have joined CBT's Water Smart Initiative. The goal is to reduce Basin-wide gross annual community water consumption by 20 per cent by 2015.
• CBT is continuing its role with respect to the Columbia River Treaty, which is to act as an information resource for Basin residents and local governments and to work with provincial and federal government agencies to provide advice on meaningful consultation with Basin residents related to the CRT.
• CBT will continue to focus efforts to support community projects aimed at reducing carbon emissions through programs and initiatives such as Carbon Neutral Kootenays, and remains committed to reducing carbon emissions in its own corporate operations.
• In consultation with Basin residents, CBT established its Strategic Priorities for 2011 - 2015 and developed and delivered a number of initiatives consistent with these priorities.
• CBT's Investment Program continued to experience strong financial performance, with total revenues increasing to $28.4 million in 2010/11, up from $26.1 million in 2009/10.
• The 8.15 per cent annual return from Power Projects was stronger than the 7.69 per cent return realized in 2009/10 and higher than its 8 per cent benchmark.
• The value of the Market Securities portfolio at the end of the fiscal year was $16.6 million. The return remained strong at 10.10 per cent, well above its 6 per cent benchmark.
• The Private Placements portfolio, which consists of real estate investments primarily in senior's care facilities and loans to Basin-based businesses, generated an annual return of 8.32 per cent, exceeding its 8 per cent benchmark.
• In October 2010, CBT and Columbia Power Corporation announced the formal signing of an agreement with Fortis Inc., which allowed the Waneta Expansion Project to move forward. Construction has commenced on this $900-million hydroelectric development located downstream from the existing Waneta Dam, south of Trail.