Ontario has announced that it will invest $60 million through the Ontario Community Infrastructure Fund (OCIF) to support roads, bridges, and water infrastructure in rural communities throughout the province.

Minister of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs Jeff Leal, made the announcement today in the Town of Picton. The province is investing in critical upgrades to the Picton Water Treatment Plant, including the rehabilitation of filters and improvements to the chlorine system to improve water quality and safety andprotect the environment. Prince Edward County will receive up to $737,948 to support improvements to the Picton Water Treatment Plant.

Leal said, “Our government is committed to improving roads, bridges and water infrastructure in rural Ontario. This important investment in the Picton Water Treatment Plant will not only help improve water quality and safety for the community, but will boost economic growth and create jobs in eastern Ontario.”

Picton is one of 55 communities that will receive support from the province through the OCIF to build and upgrade local infrastructure. Ontario is tripling its investments through OCIF from $100 million in 2016 to $300 million per year in 2019. This commitment includes increasing the formula-based funding to $200 million and increasing the application-based component to $100 million by 2019.

Ontario’s Minister of Infrastructure, Bob Chiarelli said of the announcement, “The upgrades to roads, bridges, water and wastewater infrastructure made possible by the Ontario Community Infrastructure Fund continue to lead to positive changes in our communities. We are proud to enable innovative projects that help spur local economic activity, create job opportunities for Ontarians and raise quality of life across the province.”

OCIF supports projects in municipalities with a population of less than 100,000 as of the 2011 census, as well as municipalities that are located in northern or rural Ontario. Ontario is making the largest infrastructure investment in hospitals, schools, public transit, roads and bridges in the province’s history. To learn more about what’s happening in your community, go to: Ontario.ca/BuildON.

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