$430,000 Announced for St. Alban’s Water Servicing

The Town of St. Alban’s will receive approximately $430,000 in Provincial Government funding through the 2012 Municipal Capital Works Program to complete the next phase of repairs and replacement of the town watermain.

“Through this second stage of funding, the Town of St. Alban’s will complete its work of detecting leaks in the existing town watermain and undertake repairs,” said the Honourable Kevin O’Brien, Minister of Municipal Affairs. “This work will help address water shortage issues the town has experienced in recent years and provide for a more sustainable water system.”

The Town of St. Alban’s received $580,620 in provincial funding in 2011 for the first phase of the water servicing project. Funding is cost-shared based on population, with the Provincial Government providing 90 per cent of the total project cost.

“I am extremely pleased with today's announcement,” said Tracey Perry, MHA for Fortune Bay - Cape La Hune. “The Town of St. Alban’s has been facing serious water shortages, and this funding is critical to improve our infrastructure and well-being.”

Budget 2012: People and Prosperity included $130 million over two years for municipal capital works projects throughout the province. Since 2008, the Provincial Government has invested over $500 million in Municipal Capital Works projects which has resulted in improved municipal infrastructure across the province. These projects have provided municipalities the opportunity to secure, develop and improve infrastructure for residents and support the long-term sustainability of growth and development of communities throughout the province.

The Provincial Government has also maintained improved cost-shared funding ratios established in 2008 to benefit municipalities. For communities with populations below 3,000, the Provincial Government will continue to invest 90 per cent of the cost of new infrastructure with the municipality providing 10 per cent; 80 per cent of the cost will continue to be covered for populations between 3,000 and 7,000; and 70 per cent of the cost will continue to be covered for municipalities with populations over 7,000.

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2012 07 11                              9:45 a.m.