 |
|
VICTORIA – The Kitimat-Stikine Regional District is receiving just over $1 million in federal and provincial funding to enhance local infrastructure, improve landscaping and strengthen government services in rural areas.
“The Government of Canada is pleased to join with the Province in providing Towns for Tomorrow funding for the Kitimat-Stikine Regional District, which helps to both build local infrastructure and create jobs,” said Stockwell Day, Minister of International Trade and Minister for the Asia-Pacific Gateway. “This is another example of how the federal government is committed to strengthening B.C.’s economy and keeping British Columbians working.”
Today’s announcement includes:
· $400,000 in federal and provincial funding from the Towns for Tomorrow program for the Thornhill Water System Woodlands Integration Project, which will improve fire safety and provide clean, clear water for Woodlands residents.
· A grant for $400,000 for the Dease Lake Recreation Centre – Phase Two project.
· $247,330 from the Strategic Community Investment Fund, a restructuring of provincial grant programs to give communities more funding sooner, including Regional District Grants.
·
$30,000 from the Trees for Tomorrow program for
the Kitimat-Stikine Natural Landscaping Demonstration site, including
landscaping a public works site and installing a composting demonstration site
at Northwest Community College in Terrace.
“I am proud to see these partnerships between the federal, provincial and municipal governments,” said Bulkley Valley-Stikine MLA Dennis MacKAY, on behalf of Community Development Minister Kevin Krueger. “These investments will integrate critical infrastructure systems across our region further stimulating rural economies.”
The Towns for Tomorrow project is part of an overall $14-billion capital infrastructure program supported by the Province that will create up to 88,000 jobs and help build vital public infrastructure in every region of B.C.
Beyond this funding announcement, the Government of Canada is taking important steps to support economic growth. Canada’s Economic Action Plan, announced in Budget 2009, is a balanced stimulus plan that includes massive investments in infrastructure, tax relief and transfers. This plan will provide close to $12 billion in new infrastructure stimulus funding over two years which will address needs in communities across Canada, as well as contributing to long-term economic growth through investments in public infrastructure, such as roads, water treatment, green energy and transit.
BACKGROUNDER
Towns for Tomorrow is a five-year, $71-million program that helps smaller communities and regional districts with infrastructure projects. Towns for Tomorrow provides up to 80 per cent of funding for communities under 5,000, to a maximum of $400,000, and 75 per cent of funding for communities up to 15,000, to a maximum of $375,000. As a result of a commitment on the part of all levels of government to accelerate the disbursement of infrastructure funding to stimulate the economy and meet the needs of communities, the federal government is proudly supporting the Towns for Tomorrow program. To learn more, go to www.townsfortomorrow.gov.bc.ca.
Strategic Community Investment Fund: Through a restructuring of provincial grant programs, communities will see more funding sooner, giving them greater certainty and improved financial flexibility. Payments will be made on the basis of Strategic Community Investment Agreements with local governments. The first $133-million instalment on this two-year, $232-million initiative consists of the Traffic Fine Revenue Sharing Program and Small Community and Regional District Grants.
Small Community and Regional District Grants: $70 million of the initial $133-million payment under the Strategic Community Investment Fund will support local governments this year as part of the Province’s continuing commitment to help provide services in areas with smaller tax bases. The grant allocation takes into account three elements: basic funding for all municipalities with a population of less than 15,000, population-based funding, and property assessment-based funding. This year’s payment fulfils the Province’s commitment to double these grants over four years.
Trees for Tomorrow is a five-year, $13-million program that is supporting community organizations, First Nations and local governments in urban and rural areas in planting four million trees in the public areas of cities, towns, villages and regional districts throughout B.C. In its first year, the program is providing approximately $3 million to support the planting of trees and the implementation of other energy-saving initiatives across British Columbia. The initiative, first announced in the 2008 speech from the throne, involves cost-sharing with a range of applicants and stewardship organizations. To learn more, visit www.treesfortomorrow.gov.bc.ca
-30-
|
contact: |
Ministry of Community Development 250 387-4089 |
|
|
|
||
|
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. |
||
