The Government of Alberta has awarded $200 million in infrastructure grants to municipalities across the province to make improvements to water supply and treatment facilities as well as upgrade local bridges, roads, and community airports.
“Albertans in every corner of the province are facing real challenges as our economy recovers from COVID-19 and our municipalities rely on strong local infrastructure to attract investment and grow their economies,” said Premier Jason Kenney. “As we move ahead with Alberta’s relaunch, this additional investment will go a long way to helping rural municipalities get back on their feet and back to work.”
About $150 million of the infrastructure grants will support 55 water and wastewater improvement projects and approximately 1,300 jobs. $137 million has been allocated to the Alberta Municipal/Wastewater Partnership for 54 projects. $13 million has been allocated to the First Nations Water Tie-in Program to support a water tie-in program for the Ermineskin Cree Nation to the Ponoka regional water pipeline.
“We are taking the next step in Alberta’s economic recovery by significantly increasing funding for well-used infrastructure and water grant programs for our municipalities,” said Transportation Minister Ric McIver. “This stimulus funding is just one part of our government’s economic recovery plan to get Albertans back to work.
“It makes sense to flow stimulus funding into our municipalities through existing programs that communities are familiar with, that build and rebuild roads, bridges, and water infrastructure that communities need constructed and fixed,” added McIver.
About $50 million in funding will be provided through the Strategic Transportation Infrastructure Program (STIP). This funding will support 69 projects and about 480 jobs. The program funds bridge improvements, upgrades to resource roads and community airports, and other municipal initiatives.
