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| Backgrounder(s) & FactSheet(s): | Backgrounder |
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| Backgrounder(s) & FactSheet(s): | Backgrounder |
WHISTLER – The Province is providing a record-high $3.5 million in unconditional grant funding to smaller communities and regional districts in the Lower Mainland, Premier Gordon Campbell announced today in his address to the Lower Mainland Local Government Association convention.
“This year’s record funding is part of our government’s continuing commitment to double the grants that help British Columbia’s smaller communities and regional districts provide important services to residents,” said Premier Campbell. “Increasing the grants this year is the third step in fulfilling our commitment to double unconditional grants to these communities by 2009.”
These Lower Mainland grants are an increase of $675,000 over last year’s total.
The unconditional grants announced today are:
Small Community Grants: More than $3.2 million for small and medium-sized area municipalities within the Lower Mainland Local Government Association to fund local and basic services. The grant allocation is based on a formula with three elements: basic funding for all municipalities with a population of less than 15,000, population-based funding, and property assessment-based funding.
Regional District Grants: The Fraser Valley Regional District, the Squamish-Lillooet Regional District and the Greater Vancouver Regional District will receive a total of $252,000 in 2008.
“We recognize that smaller municipalities and regional districts often need extra support to make their communities even better places to live and work,” said Community Services Minister Ida Chong. “These grants are important for them to achieve their goals and provide opportunities for residents and visitors.”
Over the last three years, the Province has added $3.6 million in new funding for Small Community and Regional District Grants for the Lower Mainland to help support the daily operations of local governments.
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contact: |
Press Secretary Office of the Premier 604 307-7177 |
Communications Manager Ministry of Community Services 250 387-4089 |
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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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