The Town of Tilting will receive $108,500 to upgrade the water supply pumping station through the 2008-09 Municipal Capital Works (MCW) program.

"The Williams Government is committed to ensuring that municipalities have access to effective and reliable infrastructure," said the Honourable Dianne Whalen, Minister of Municipal Affairs. "I am pleased that through this funding, important improvements to the area�s water system may now take place."

The MCW 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.

Through the 2008-09 program, $33.4 million will be spent on many infrastructure improvement projects province-wide. Under the program, the Provincial Government will contribute $28.9 million and the municipalities will contribute $4.5 million. Towns will also utilize the federal GST rebate as part of the capital cost.

Changes to the cost-share ratios for municipalities were announced in April 2008. These 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.

"The new cost-share ratio of 90 /10 makes infrastructure improvement much more affordable for smaller communities," said Derrick Dalley, MHA for the Isles of Notre Dame. "I am very pleased that the Town of Tilting can now proceed with upgrades to the water supply pumping station for the benefit of area residents."

Media contact:

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