BC – Thirty communities throughout British Columbia are receiving a boost in funding of $282,000 in grants to help local governments plan, design and manage sustainable infrastructure.
The Infrastructure Planning Grant Program helps local governments determine how best to manage their assets and finances for the long-term benefit of their communities. These grants also help local governments meet the requirements to apply for significant capital infrastructure funding in their communities.
Infrastructure Planning Grants of up to $10,000 are available to local governments to help improve or develop comprehensive long-term plans for infrastructure, such as water, wastewater and drainage. Eligible projects also include plans that address other aspects of community sustainability, such as energy and asset management, as well as feasibility studies for infrastructure initiatives.
In partnership with the federal government and local governments, the Province supported communities in B.C. through a number of infrastructure programs, including through recent commitments under the New Building Canada – Small Communities Fund and the Clean Water and Wastewater Fund, which are fully subscribed.
The 29 local governments (representing 30 communities) receiving Infrastructure Planning Grants are:
- Burns Lake, Campbell River, Chase, Chilliwack, Clearwater, Clinton, Courtenay, Duncan, Enderby, Gold River, Harrison Hot Springs, Kaslo, Kelowna, Ladysmith, Lytton, New Westminster, North Vancouver (District), Port Hardy, Port McNeill, Wells, Zeballos, Bulkley-Nechako Regional District, Central Okanagan Regional District, Comox Valley Regional District, Fraser-Fort George Regional District, Kootenay Boundary Regional District (two communities), Nanaimo Regional District, North Okanagan Regional District and Powell River Regional District.
The Infrastructure Planning Grant operates on a year-round open intake. The next round of decision for the program will be based on applications submitted by Jan. 17, 2018. Local governments can use an Infrastructure Planning Grant for the assessment work needed for applying to a capital grant program.
