September 29, 2009
Governments Fund Local Infrastructure

OSOYOOS – Canada, B.C. and local governments have approved a joint investment of $12,510,000 through the Building Canada Fund and Infrastructure Stimulus Fund to get shovels in the ground on four projects.  These projects will benefit local residents by creating jobs, helping to boost the local the economy, and build longer-lasting local infrastructure.

"Under Prime Minister Stephen Harper's Economic Action Plan, Canada and its partners are getting projects underway to benefit this community today and for years to come," says Minister Stockwell Day. "Our Action Plan is helping to get shovels in the ground, create jobs, strengthen the local economy and build longer-lasting infrastructure."

“These are very important projects for our region,” says Boundary-Similkameen MLA John Slater.  “I am pleased to see these communities benefit from our government’s collaboration with federal and municipal partners, helping us to improve and expand infrastructure.”

The combined Federal, Provincial and Municipal funds for infrastructure projects are as follows:

Regional District of the Okanagan-Similkameen - $9,380,000 for a new wastewater treatment plant to be constructed to provide sewage treatment to Okanagan Falls and surrounding area.  The plant will initially serve 1380 people in Okanagan Falls and provide sewage treatment for about 3300 people in the surrounding area in the future. 

City of Osoyoos - $590,000 for the reconstruction of 87th Street from Jubilee to 92nd Avenue.  The project includes a 10 metre pavement surface (two travel lanes and parking one side), curbs, gutters and sidewalks.

Allen Business Communications - $200,000 to develop a secure communication tower with a secondary power supply that will provide coverage for all service providers delivering wireless broadband to the communities of Westbridge, Rock Creek, Zamora, and Rhone.

Federal/Provincial Capital Project - $2,340,000 for improving the surface of a 21 kilometre section of Highway 97C, from Keremeos to Yellow Lake.

The Government of Canada's 2009 Economic Action Plan includes a vast array of initiatives to help to stimulate the economy, create jobs, build consumer confidence, and assist Canadians when they need it most during this global economic recession.  New large-scale infrastructure programs are one important element of this plan.

The project is funded under the Province's three-year, $14-billion capital infrastructure program that will create up to 88,000 jobs and help build vital public infrastructure in every region of B.C.

Since February about 480 projects worth $3.4 billion have been announced. These will create an estimated 21,600 jobs in communities across British Columbia.

For more information on the Building Canada plan, visit www.buildingcanada.gc.ca or www.bcbuildingcanadafundcommunities.ca. Information on the Infrastructure Stimulus Fund is available at www.creatingjobs.gc.ca.

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