OVER $1.6M FOR NORTHERN ROCKIES REGIONAL MUNICIPALITY

FORT NELSON – The Northern Rockies Regional Municipality will benefit from over $1.6 million in federal and provincial funding announced today to help build local infrastructure and trails.

“This joint federal/provincial funding will help Fort Nelson build important infrastructure projects that both encourage physical activity and enhance water system operations,” said Senator Richard Neufeld.

“The Government of Canada is pleased to join with the Province in providing Towns for Tomorrow and LocalMotion funding for the Northern Rockies, which helps to both build local infrastructure and create jobs,” said the Honourable Jay Hill, Member of Parliament for Prince George-Peace River and Leader of the Government in the House of Commons.

“Partnerships between all levels of government are exactly the sort of action that is needed to move things forward during these economic times,” said Blair Lekstrom, MLA for Peace River South. “The B.C. government created programs like Towns for Tomorrow to invest in communities that have a plan for where they would like to go, and we are pleased that the federal government and the Northern Rockies Regional Municipality are joining with us on this project.”

The municipality will receive:

· $400,000 in federal and provincial Towns for Tomorrow funding for upgrades to its Raw Water Supply Energy Efficiency Project. The project will improve energy efficiency and reliability of the existing system and is part of the town's overall plan to increase the water system capacity to meet future demands.

· $602,676 in federal and provincial LocalMotion funding for the first phase of the Fort Nelson Community Trail Master Plan Project. This project involves the construction of 4.65 km of multi-use trail surrounded by a 30m wide green space, which will provide opportunities for physical activities and active transportation.

· $617,690 through the first instalment of the Small Community and Regional District Grant component of the Province's Strategic Community Investment Fund, a restructuring of provincial grant programs to give communities more funding sooner.

“The Regional Municipality of the Northern Rockies welcomes this funding from the provincial and federal governments,” said Mayor Bill Streeper. “These programs are an investment in the future of our community, and I am confident that it will be money well-spent as it helps create more jobs, more efficiency, and more opportunities for workers and their families.”

The Towns for Tomorrow and LocalMotion projects are 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.

LocalMotion is a four-year, $40-million program helping communities to build capital projects like bike paths, walkways and greenways, reducing greenhouse gas emissions and making communities more senior- and disability-friendly. The program provides local governments up to 50 per cent funding for approved projects up to a maximum contribution of $1 million. 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, the federal government is proudly supporting the LocalMotion program. For more information, visit www.localmotion.gov.bc.ca online.

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.

The RuralBC Secretariat, established by the Province in 2008, helps local governments access the tools they need to achieve their unique visions for the future. The secretariat provides a direct service and information link between the provincial government and B.C.’s rural communities. The secretariat's regional managers are there to help communities take advantage of the most appropriate programs and sources of provincial and federal funding and identify opportunities to diversify local economies. Local governments are encouraged to visit www.ruralbc.gov.bc.ca for more information.

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Media contact:	Public Affairs Bureau Ministry of Community Development 250 387-4089

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