Columbia Basin Trust on solid financial footing

The Trust’s revenues reached $48 million over the year, a substantial increase from the $29 million earned the previous year.

Programs and services delivered by Columbia Basin Trust help residents in the area as they work to strengthen the region's social, economic and environmental well-being. — Photo courtesy CBT/Kyle Hamilton

(Columbia Basin) – Over 2015/16, Columbia Basin residents and communities benefited from the more than $31 million in programs and services delivered by Columbia Basin Trust, helping residents as they work to strengthen the region’s social, economic and environmental well-being.

The Trust’s revenues reached $48 million over the year, a substantial increase from the $29 million earned the previous year. This increase was due largely to Waneta Expansion becoming fully operational and a new power sales agreement for Arrow Lakes Generating Station. The additional revenues enabled the Trust to deliver $31 million in benefits to the region. The previous year, it had delivered $22 million.

“We earn most of our money through sustainable, hydroelectric power projects, which consistently perform very well,” said Neil Muth, Columbia Basin Trust President and Chief Executive Officer. “We expect significant growth again this year, providing a solid financial foundation to do more to support communities and residents to address priorities that collectively, help this region thrive.”

Following extensive community engagement in 2014 and 2015, the Trust renewed its Columbia Basin Management Plan, committing to four support methods and 13 strategic priorities until 2020. Learn more and view the Trust’s progress to date on these priorities at ourtrust.org/priorities.

“We’ve already made headway on three new programs: the first intake of our Recreation Infrastructure Grants approved 42 projects, more than 200 non-profits accessed our Non-profit Advisors Program and we allocated $2 million to an Impact Investments Fund,” said Muth.

“I’m also excited about how we are expanding the ways in which we are working with and supporting communities by focusing on longer term, strategic initiatives like housing and economic development, and using new tools like impact investments to create solutions for community challenges.”

Read more about the Trust’s performance in its 2015/16 Annual Service Plan Report at ourtrust.org/annualreport2016. For stories and photos of some of the projects the Trust has supported, look for the magazine Our Trust in your mailbox this fall or sign-up for our monthly e-newsletter to be notified when it’s available at ourtrust.org/newsletter.

Columbia Basin Trust supports the ideas and efforts of the people of the Columbia Basin. To learn more about the Trust’s programs and initiatives, and how it helps deliver social, economic and environmental benefits to the Basin, visit ourtrust.org or call 1-800-505-8998.