Chatham-Kent will benefit from more than $5.3 million in infrastructure funding from the province, announced last week.
It’s part of $200 million in investment this year through the Ontario Community Infrastructure Fund (OCIF) to help 424 small, rural and northern communities build and repair critical local infrastructure, including roads, bridges, water and wastewater infrastructure.
The City of Greater Sudbury topped the list in terms of funds received at nearly $9.3 million, while the City of Thunder Bay received in excess of $5.8 million, while C-K placed third at $5.36 million.
The funding level for C-K is quite similar to what the OCIF sent here in 2019.
“Ontario’s economy is thriving, but we must ensure every person and every region across the province can share in this prosperity,” Premier Doug Ford said in a media release. “Investing in infrastructure is critical to helping rural communities attract, support and sustain economic growth and job creation.”
Chris Thibert, the municipality’s director of engineering and transportation services, said the level of funding was anticipated and is already allotted.
“Chatham-Kent appreciates the continual support from the province through this funding source,” he said. “We include this fund in our annual budgets every year with the assumption that it will be continued/approved so this announcement is appreciated as it demonstrates the province’s continual interests and support for infrastructure. This fund and amount will be put towards bridge and road related projects for 2020, which we are still developing.”
“Our government is investing in community-based infrastructure projects that will build healthier and safer communities,” said Laurie Scott, Minister of Infrastructure. “This funding builds on our ongoing commitment to support small, rural and northern municipalities across Ontario.”
