Duane Hicks
Fort Frances and the surrounding district will be getting more funds for upgrades to roads, bridges, and other local community infrastructure in the future.
Municipal Affairs minister Bill Mauro, who also is MPP for Thunder Bay-Atikokan, was in town this morning to announce the Ontario Community Infrastructure Fund (OCIF), which originally was a $100-million program, is increasing to a total of $300 million that will peak in 2018-19.
Some $200 million of it will be “predictable money” distributed to communities according to a formula while $100 million will be application-based, Mauro noted.
The OCIF program also has been changed so money received can be “stacked” for up to five years; meaning municipalities do not have to spend it in the year they receive it.
“Investing in roads, bridges, and other critical infrastructure in Fort Frances will help to create jobs and provide opportunities for families and businesses in this community,” Mauro said.
“For Fort Frances, the province will provide up to $299,229 in 2017, increasing to $422,227 in 2108 and $634,617 by 2019, through the Ontario Community Infrastructure Fund,” he noted.
This total of more than $1.3 million is money the town can count on and budget accordingly.
“In total, 10 communities in the Rainy River District will receive more than $3.2 million to upgrade community infrastructure over the next three years,” said Mauro.
“This is further proof that our government remains committed to Northwestern Ontario and ensuring our economy is strong.”
Communities benefitting from upgrades include Fort Frances, Atikokan, and Rainy River, as well as the townships of Alberton, Chapple, Dawson, Emo, La Vallee, Lake of the Woods, and Morley.
“On behalf of the residents of the Town of Fort Frances, I would like to extend our appreciation to the province for this investment in our community,” said Mayor Roy Avis.
“Funding through the OCIF program will help us to continue to repair and revitalize critical infrastructure that will help our community to grow and prosper,” he noted.
“Our government is committed to working with communities in Northwestern Ontario to provide stable, predictable funding to build and repair critical infrastructure,” echoed Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs minister Jeff Leal.
“Investments like the one announced today help to support significant economic activity in local communities, create jobs, and help maintain a strong regional business climate across the province,” he added.
Mauro also announced today that two district projects have been funded by the Northern Ontario Heritage Fund Corp. (NOHFC).
Titan Manufacturing of Alberton, which constructs roof and floor trusses, received $200,000 while Brielmann Agriculture Ltd. of Morley received $195,328 to expand its storage facilities.
