Chatham-Kent is getting millions of dollars in provincial funding to improve roads, bridges, and water infrastructure.
Lambton-Kent-Middlesex MPP Monte McNaughton announced the $5.3 million in new funding on Tuesday and said the local funding is badly needed.
“I made a commitment to support our local municipalities by creating jobs, attracting economic growth and investment, and making our communities the best places to live and grow,” said MPP McNaughton. “That means making our roads and bridges safer. Because this funding is flexible, however, municipalities can use it for their own priorities. They can spend the money where it is needed most.”
Chatham-Kent and Leamington MPP Rick Nicholls echoed McNaughton's comments.
The local provincial funding is part of $11 million for 14 municipalities to address their local community infrastructure needs.
“As a municipality, Chatham-Kent appreciates the stability and ongoing support of the province through the Ontario Community Infrastructure Fund," said Darren Caniff, mayor of Chatham-Kent. "We use the fund to help support Chatham-Kent’s extensive system of paved roads.”
This funding is part of Ontario’s approximately $200 million commitment to 424 communities addressing their core infrastructure projects and asset management planning needs in 2020.
“This investment provides the predictable and stable infrastructure funding small, rural and northern municipalities have asked for,” said Minister of Infrastructure Laurie Scott.
The province said it uses a formula that examines various social and economic factors to determine funding allocations across the province.
