Residents in Bruce-Grey-Owen Sound will see repairs to critical infrastructure thanks to a joint funding announcement from the governments of Ontario and Canada.

The new Small Communities Fund is open to all communities with a population under 100,000 people.

Bruce-Grey-Owen Sound MPP, who is attending the annual Association of Municipalities of Ontario (AMO) conference in Niagara Falls this week, welcomed the news that sees the provincial and federal government working together to support the growth of our region.

"I'm hearing a common theme from mayors and councillors at AMO that our communities have been shortchanged by the province for years," Walker said. "Today's announcement is good news – it's one type of investment rural Ontario needs to turn things around and help to attract new business and jobs to the region, and I encourage all local governments to submit their application as soon as possible.‎"

More than $500 million is up for grabs under the new Small Communities Fund funded by the federal and provincial governments.

Incumbent Conservative MP Larry Miller, who is running for re-election in Bruce-Grey-Owen Sound, called the joint investment necessary and one that will create new opportunities for local residents.

"Increasing infrastructure costs is probably the first thing that I hear about from local mayors," Miller said. "This funding will help to relieve some of that pressure by providing money for critical roads, bridges, water and wastewater projects in our region."

Walker added that a study released by AMO showed that without stable funding, municipalities could face unprecedented hikes in costs that could result in doubled property taxes by 2025.

Deadline for pre-screening application is September 30th.

source: media release, Bill Walker, MPP, Bruce-Grey-Owen Sound