Through the 2008-09 Municipal Capital Works (MCW) program, the Town of Lewisporte will receive $176,003 for road, water and sewer work on Quinton Street and the Town of Campbellton will receive $200,000 for road upgrading.

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.

"Our goal remains to strengthen municipal services and infrastructure throughout Newfoundland and Labrador," said the Honourable Dave Denine, Minister of Municipal Affairs. "I am pleased that through this funding, important infrastructure improvements, such as road and water and sewer work will take place."

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. Towns will also utilize the Federal GST rebate as part of the capital cost.

"I am very pleased with the new cost-sharing formula," said Lewisporte MHA Wade Verge. "Under the new structure, important infrastructure projects are now much more affordable for smaller communities."

The MCW program has been significantly improved by recently announced revised cost-share ratios for municipalities. These new changes state that towns with populations under 3,000 now have to contribute only 10 per cent toward the cost of capital infrastructure. Towns with populations between 3,000 and 7,000 contribute 20 per cent and the largest cities and towns with populations over 7,000 contribute 30 per cent.

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