Over $5.7 million in Municipal Infrastructure Funding for Central Region;
Funding Announced for New Civic Building in Grand Falls-Windsor

Through an investment of over $5.7 million in the 2012 Municipal Capital Works Program, the Provincial Government is supporting a new civic building in the Town of Grand Falls-Windsor and municipal infrastructure upgrades in the towns of Badger, Buchans, Robert’s Arm, and Millertown.

“We are pleased to provide support for the development of a new civic building which will support enhanced social and economic activity for residents of Grand Falls-Windsor and surrounding areas,” said the Honourable Kevin O’Brien, Minister of Municipal Affairs. “Additional investment will result in improved municipal infrastructure in the area, with projects including stadium roof repairs in Buchans and upgrades to recreation facilities in Triton.”

The proposed new civic building in Grand Falls-Windsor will be approximately 20,000 square feet and will be home to several community groups. The total project cost is estimated to be $6.2 million, with the Provincial Government providing 70 per cent of the total cost. The building will be located on the former Co-Op site on High Street.

“The new civic building in the Town of Grand Falls-Windsor is certainly a beneficial development for all residents as the revitalization of High Street continues,” said the Honourable Susan Sullivan, Minister of Health and Community Services and MHA for Grand Falls-Windsor - Buchans. “The Provincial Government’s latest investment in High Street will help to once again make it the hub of the community. I am also pleased with the significant municipal infrastructure upgrades in the Badger, Buchans and Millertown areas. These upgrades demonstrate the Provincial Government’s continued commitment to improve important municipal projects throughout the province.”

Funding will be provided through the municipal capital works program for structural repairs and painting of a water reservoir steel tank in Badger, repairs to the stadium roof in Buchans, and upgrades to a sewage lift station in Millertown. In addition, the Provincial Government will support upgrades to the Green Bay South Arena and outdoor pool facilities in the Town of Triton, along with improvements to the sewage treatment plant in Robert’s Arm. Funding is cost-shared based on population, with each town providing 10 per cent of the total project cost.

“Improvements to the municipal infrastructure of these towns make a positive difference to people who live there,” said Ray Hunter, MHA for Grand Falls-Windsor - Green Bay South. “A new civic building benefits everyone in the area, and is welcome news to community groups and others, allowing our community to grow.”

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 projects across the province. These projects have provided municipalities the opportunity to secure, develop and improve infrastructure for their residents and support the long-term sustainability of growth and development of communities.

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 17             9:35 a.m.