BC Community Infrastructure Grants

Maybe the Province read my article on the crumbling infrastructure around this province?

$272 Million Invested in Smaller British Columbia Communities: Applications Open for Building Canada’s Communities Component

For the first time, smaller British Columbia communities with populations of less than 100,000 can now access more funding for cleaner water, better waste management and flood mitigation thanks to a $272 million investment by the federal and provincial governments through the Building Canada Plan.

Here are the categories being focused on during this intake:

Building Canada Fund Communities

• Drinking Water
• Wastewater
• Local Roads
• Tourism
• Shortline Railways
• Short Sea Shipping

The first round of application intakes will be due on September 5, 2008.

In the Kootenays, I’d like to see the Regional Districts of Central Kootenay and Kootenay Boundary look into the viability of a Shortline Railway between Trail, Castlegar and Nelson. This would be a novel opportunity to improve the sustainability of transport between these three regional centres.  However, considering the current state of wastewater in the Greater Trail Area, (looking at around $50 million in upgrades), I can see that this may be a priority.

For Castlegar, this would be a great opportunity to improve the sewer treatment plants or if there is an opportunity to combine funds, to apply for additional funds to improve the water treatment system for the City’s water supply.

For Rossland, there are many opportunities where the City could use funds, including water source protection, improved safety and reliability of water treatment and distribution, or for local road upgrades to improve safety, mobility, sustainability and economic development.

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