Energy Minister Glenn Thibeault announced the expansion of infrastructure funding with $5.4 million dollars in formula based funding over the next three years to expand and upgrade infrastructure through the Ontario Community Infrastructure Fund (OCIF).
The funding will also benefit 116 other municipalities including the nearby communities of Powassan, Callander, Bonfield, Nipissing, West Nipissing, Mattawa West Nipissing and South River to name just a few.
Thibeault says the funding is put in place to recognize that it is all about municipalities and the importance of them, as well as the hard work and challenges municipalities encounter.
“This is money we’ve been able to put aside as part of the $16 billion over the next 12 years to build infrastructure,” stated Thibeault, who used to work on radio in North Bay in the early 1990’s.
“This is a significant increase for many of these municipalities to do what they need to do in infrastructure.”
Thibeault says the new funding comes with some flexibility for the municipalities.
“There is really no criteria when it comes to infrastructure, what is it though is it’s allowing them over the next three years to figure out, we are getting $5.4 million in North Bay, we can then bank that money if they so choose or spend it every year, it’s their call.”
Al McDonald believes the funding benefits in three ways, including the $5.4 in funding, it gives the city a chance to save and accumulate for bigger projects.
“We know how much money we are going to have now and well into the future so when we plan our capital projects,” stated McDonald.
The stop was one of a handful the Sudbury based Minister has made this week which included a stop in Kapuskasing this week.
