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Municipal Affairs
July 15, 2009

Town of St. George's to Benefit from
Canada-Newfoundland and Labrador Municipal Rural Infrastructure Fund

The Town of St. George's will undertake repairs to seven existing sewage lift stations in the town's wastewater system, thanks to funding of just under $667,000 through the Canada-Newfoundland and Labrador Municipal Rural Infrastructure Fund (MRIF).

The funding was announced today by the Honourable Keith Ashfield, Minister of State for the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency (ACOA); the Honourable Dianne Whalen, Minister of Municipal Affairs; and St. George's Mayor Fintan Alexander.

"This will be of tremendous benefit to the community, as it will eliminate the costs of annual repairs and it will also improve the environment within the town itself," said Minister Ashfield. "Our investment of just over $222,000 will allow the town to replace the aging lift stations and ensure a safer, cleaner community."

"The installation of new equipment will improve efficiencies and eliminate ongoing maintenance issues with an aging wastewater system," said Minister Whalen. "Our government is pleased to contribute over $350,000 to strengthen municipal services for residents of St. George's, and ensure they have access to modern, reliable services."

The Government of Canada is contributing $222,195 and the Government of Newfoundland and Labrador is contributing $350,257, while the Town of St. George's will fund the balance of $94,132.

"The lift stations throughout the town have to be replaced, as they are old and repairs are costly," said Mayor Alexander. "We have been replacing the lift stations in phases, and this completes the first three phases of the replacements. We are pleased to see the work started, as the repairs were taking up funding that the town could have used in other areas."

"I am very pleased with this announcement of funding for further improvement of the wastewater system in the area," said the Honourable Joan Burke, MHA for St. George's-Stephenville East. "The new sewage treatment plant and upgrading of these aged lift stations will offer an improved wastewater system for the community."

The 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.

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Media contacts:

Doug Burgess
Director, Public Affairs
Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency
709-772-2935
Heather MacLean
Director of Communications
Department of Municipal Affairs
709-729-1983, 697-4137
heathermaclean@gov.nl.ca
Mayor Fintan Alexander
Office of the Mayor
Town of St. George's
709-647-3283
Scott Locke
Executive Assistant, Honourable Joan Burke, MHA St. George's-Stephenville East
709-729-0160
ScottLocke@gov.nl.ca

2009 07 15                                             11:05 a.m.


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