$615K INVESTMENT FOR PEACE RIVER REGIONAL DISTRICT

DAWSON CREEK – The Peace River Regional District will benefit from nearly $615,000 in federal and provincial funding announced today to help build local infrastructure and provide basic services.

“The Government of Canada is pleased to join with the Province in providing Towns for Tomorrow funding for the Peace River Regional District, which helps to both build local infrastructure and create jobs,” said Hon. Jay Hill, MP for Prince George-Peace River. “This is another example of how the federal government is committed to strengthening B.C.’s economy and keeping British Columbians working.”

“This is the first time regional districts are eligible for Towns for Tomorrow funding,” said Blair Lekstrom, MLA for Peace River South on behalf of Community Development Minister Kevin Krueger. “As the former Minister of Community Development, I am pleased the federal government has partnered with us for this important program, and I think it demonstrates the positive things that can happen when all levels of government work together to move our province forward.”

Peace River will receive:

· $400,000 in federal and provincial funding from the Towns for Tomorrow program for the Buick Creek Arena project, which will build a National Hockey League size natural ice arena.

· $214,787 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.

“We have a plan to move our community forward into the future,” said Peace River Regional District Chair Karen Goodings. “These investments will really help us achieve our goals.”

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.

The Small Community and Regional District Grant component of the Strategic Community Investment Fund is part of the Province's continuing commitment to help provide services in areas with smaller tax bases. These grants account for $70 million of the initial $133-million payment under the Strategic Community Investment Fund. 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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