Last week the provincial NDP government announced that communities across the province will receive millions of dollars as part of a series of grants from a $1 billion fund aimed at supporting growing infrastructure needs.
The City of Fernie will receive $2.6 million, the District of Elkford, $1.58 milling, Sparwood gets just over $2 million, while the Regional District of East Kootenay receives $3.7 million.
The funding was determined and distributed with an initial $500,000 per city or regional district, then adjusted based on per-capita population growth between 2016 and 2021.
The funding, because it is one-time, will be earmarked for infrastructure rather than operations costs.
“Our communities are growing and this puts more pressure on community centres, parks and swimming pools that families rely on. To help, we’re providing the single largest provincial investment in communities in B.C.’s history,” said Premier David Eby, in a news release. “The new Growing Communities Fund will help local communities get building. Growing communities need our support and this funding will make a big difference for everyone.”
“I know that our local governments are working hard to keep up with the growing demands of their communities. Through cross-government co-operation, we can address the unique needs in each community to ensure they can thrive into the future,” said Anne Kang, Minister of Municipal Affairs. “These grants will support projects that each community needs the most, like new affordable housing and child care facilities, road improvements or recreation centres.”
With a file from Trevor Crawley