Capital Works announcement for the districts of St. George�s-Stephenville East and Port au Port

Jack Byrne, Municipal and Provincial Affairs Minister, Joan Burke, MHA for the District of St. George�s-Stephenville East, and Jim Hodder, MHA for the District of Port au Port, expect work to proceed on the $7.5 million sewage treatment plant in Stephenville.

"This treatment plant is one of the largest municipal capital works projects currently underway in the province," said Minister Byrne. "Provincial funding for the project is estimated at $2.9 million and confirms the high priority which government places on a clean, safe environment."

"I am very pleased that residents in my district will benefit from the funding for the sewage treatment plant," said Minister Burke. "This is a project which I felt needed to be addressed in the District of St. George�s-Stephenville East and why I confirmed it as a priority."

Providing solid infrastructure throughout the province is an important aspect of this government�s economic growth agenda. The total value of all work to be completed in 2004 is approximately $100 million. These projects will have an immediate positive economic impact on job creation and rural development.

MHA Jim Hodder said, "Government�s investment in this particular infrastructure project is an indication that it believes it is also an investment in the future of rural Newfoundland and Labrador particularly here in the Stephenville region. I am delighted that government remains committed to providing this region with this sewage treatment plant."

Media contact: Vanessa Colman-Sadd, Communications, (709) 729-1983

2004 07 08                                       12:05 p.m.