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VICTORIA
– The Province has officially
launched the Towns for Tomorrow program, allowing B.C.’s smaller communities to
access $21 million for infrastructure priority projects, creating legacies for
the future, Community Services Minister Ida Chong and MLA Kevin Krueger, the
Premier’s Parliamentary Secretary for Rural Development, announced today.
“B.C.’s communities, large and small, have diverse needs,
priorities and resources,” said Chong. “Through the Towns for Tomorrow program,
we are helping communities with populations under 5,000 to become better places
to live and work.”
Towns for Tomorrow will
provide $21 million, over three years, for projects in B.C.’s smaller communities.
With the funding, communities may choose to make water
quality improvements, develop recreation and cultural amenities, undertake
environmental energy improvements, or invest in protective and emergency
services infrastructure and community development. Under the cost share
program, the Province will provide 80 per cent of the funding for approved
projects, with communities funding the remaining 20 per cent, up to a maximum
total value of $500,000.
“The
rural communities I have already been meeting with have some innovative ideas
about what they want to do with this money,” said Krueger. “This is a unique
program that will make a real difference in what the communities can offer
their citizens. It supports our Pacific Leadership Agenda which includes creating
vibrant connected communities that are both socially responsive and
environmentally sustainable.”
Communities
can learn more about the program and apply for funding by visiting www.townsfortomorrow.gov.bc.ca
online. To be considered for the first round of project approvals, applications
must be submitted by Feb. 16, 2007. Successful projects will be announced in
spring 2007.
Towns
for Tomorrow is one of three new programs, announced by Premier Gordon Campbell
at the 2006 Union of B.C. Municipalities annual conference, which began
accepting applications today. Also launched were B.C. Spirit Squares, intended
to create or enhance outdoor public celebration spaces, and the LocalMotion
Fund, supporting cycling and pedestrian pathways.
Each of these programs builds on B.C.’s
Pacific Leadership Agenda and supports ActNow BC, a provincewide health
promotion initiative focused on encouraging British Columbians to live healthier lives by being more
physically active.
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contact: |
Ministry of Community Services 250 356-6334 |
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For more information on government services or to subscribe to the Province’s news feeds using RSS, visit the Province’s website at www.gov.bc.ca. |
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