The municipality of Stephenville Crossing will undertake a $66,024 upgrade to the community�s sewage system thanks to the Canada/Newfoundland and Labrador Municipal Rural Infrastructure Fund (MRIF).

The project will consist of an upgrade to the existing sewage pumping station at Ingram Road in Stephenville Crossing. The federal government will provide $22,008, while the provincial share will be $26,630, and the municipality will provide the remaining $17,386.

"I am pleased to announce this investment for Stephenville Crossing. It will strengthen the community's infrastructure and improve the quality of life for families in the community," said the Honourable Loyola Hearn, Minister of Fisheries and Oceans and Regional Minister for Newfoundland and Labrador on behalf of the Honourable Peter MacKay, Minister of Foreign Affairs and Minister of the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency (ACOA). "Through the partnership of the Municipal Rural Infrastructure Fund, we are getting things done for families and taxpayers in local communities."

"As MHA for the area, I am especially pleased to see all three levels of government working together to complete such a valuable project," said Joan Burke, MHA for the district of St. George's-Stephenville East. "I especially commend the Town Council of Stephenville Crossing for their continued proactive work on behalf of their residents."

"The benefits of the upgrade will start with the reduction of operating and maintenance costs to the town and it will also allow for future development of the system," said Stephenville Crossing Mayor Brian Joy. "We are extremely pleased to get this project started as it will reduce effluents through the installation of new equipment."

The $84 million, six-year Canada-NL MRIF Agreement is administered jointly by the Department of Municipal Affairs on behalf of the Government of Newfoundland and Labrador, and ACOA, on behalf of Infrastructure Canada. The Newfoundland and Labrador Federation of Municipalities, acting on behalf of communities, helps set the strategic direction of the Agreement and identify priorities under the capacity-building component of the Agreement.

For more information on MRIF, visit //www.mpa.gov.nl.ca/mpa/mrifa/default.htm or e-mail MRIF@gov.nl.ca. For additional information on this and other infrastructure programs administered by the Government of Canada, visit www.infrastructure.gc.ca.

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