The Town of Musgrave Harbour will receive $1.7 million for road upgrading and paving through the 2008-09 Municipal Capital Works Funding Program (MCW).

"The Provincial Government recognizes that communities require efficient infrastructure," said the Honourable Dave Denine, Minister of Municipal Affairs. "We are committed to providing municipalities the capacity to secure, develop and improve services for residents and I am pleased to approve $1.7 million in municipal capital works funding for road work and paving in Musgrave Harbour. These improvements will benefit area residents now, and into the future."

The Municipal Capital Works program fosters the development of cost-shared projects in a wide range of municipal infrastructure, including water and waste-water treatment, roads, recreational facilities and fire equipment. Minister Denine recently announced that through the 2008-09 MCW program, $61.2 million will be spent on many infrastructure improvement projects province-wide. Under the program, the Provincial Government will contribute $32.4 million; the Federal Government will contribute $12 million and the municipalities will contribute $14.1 million.

"I am extremely pleased with the capital works funding approved for the Town of Musgrave Harbour," said Harry Harding, MHA for Bonavista North.  "It will result in tremendous improvements to the local roads throughout the town. This is another direct benefit of the new provincial/municipal cost-sharing arrangement just recently implemented by our government which means that the province will fund 90 per cent of the total cost while the town will only have to fund 10 per cent."

"We�ve very happy with this funding," said Musgrave Harbour Mayor Raymond Stokes. "It demonstrates to us that the current government understands our need for infrastructure improvements as well as its commitment to help us make these improvements."

"Our goal remains to strengthen municipal services and infrastructure throughout Newfoundland and Labrador," said Minister Denine. "The Provincial Government continues to provide municipalities the capability to secure, develop and improve services that in turn improve the quality of life for their residents."

Media contact:
Jennifer Collingwood
Director of Communications
Department of Municipal Affairs
709-729-1983, 690-2498
JenniferCollingwood@gov.nl.ca

2008 07 04                                                    10:05 a.m.