Municipal Affairs
June 19, 2008

$3.9 Million for Gander through Multi-Year Capital Works Program

The Town of Gander will receive more than $3.9 million for municipal infrastructure improvements � including a new fire hall � through the 2008-11 Multi-Year Capital Works Funding Program. The Honourable Dave Denine, Minister of Municipal Affairs, announced the Provincial Government�s investment today. The town has indicated that of the total $3,928,571 in funding, over $1.7 million will be spent on a new fire hall with the remainder going towards road work and water and waste water improvements.

The Multi-Year Capital Works Program allows larger municipalities to avail of three-year blocks of funding, which supports improved planning and scheduling of work for major infrastructure projects. The program was first introduced in 1999 to fund larger-scale infrastructure initiatives in communities that have the capacity to make multi-year commitments. Typically, the majority of funding for municipal capital works programs has supported road, water and sewer infrastructure.

"This type of funding agreement allows municipalities to plan their infrastructure investments over several years with the security of knowing the funding is in place," said Minister Denine. "I am very pleased that the residents of Gander will be able to enjoy significant infrastructure improvements, such as upgraded roads and water systems. I am particularly pleased that the town will be investing a large portion of this funding in a new fire hall."

"I am very happy to see that the major priorities identified by the Town of Gander are being funded," said Gander MHA, the Honourable Kevin O�Brien. "I am confident that these changes will have a positive impact as Gander continues to grow into a more vibrant and beautiful town."

The 2008-11 Multi Year Capital Works Program will provide a provincial funding investment of $112 million over the next three years to 15 of the province�s largest cities and towns. When combined with the municipal contribution, the program will result in a $156-million investment in municipal infrastructure over the next three years.

Recent improvements to cost-sharing ratios mean that the province will fund 70 per cent of the total cost while the town has to only fund 30 per cent.

"The new cost-sharing formula is an important step toward addressing the growing infrastructure deficit, particularly in terms of smaller communities where local resources are the most limited," said Gander�s Deputy Mayor Zane Tucker. "Gander had already committed to constructing a new fire hall, which is a huge undertaking above and beyond our normal infrastructure and maintenance costs, so the timing really couldn�t be better for us. In practical terms, our public works investments can now go further, and I think the citizens of Gander will see tangible benefits from that, beginning as early as this year."

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

2008 06 19                                                  10:30 a.m.

 


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