The townships of Springwater and Oro-Medonte will be getting an early Christmas present from the Ontario government — stacks of money to help repair and replace critical infrastructure.
Springwater will be receiving about $1.05 million and Oro-Medonte will be receiving almost $464,000 through the Ontario Community Infrastructure Fund (OCIF).
“Ontario Community Infrastructure Funding helps our government in strengthening economic growth and job creation by providing funding to address critical infrastructure needs, including road, bridge, water and wastewater projects,” Barrie-Springwater-Oro-Medonte MPP Doug Downey said in a news release Wednesday.
“This funding is vital for our small, rural communities to be able to address their infrastructure needs as they face growth challenges, and help to build more resilient communities for tomorrow," he added.
Oro-Medonte Mayor Randy Greenlaw said his township will be putting the money toward road improvements.
“I can’t give any specifics, but we will be using the money for road improvements across the township,” he said.
Springwater Township Mayor Jennifer Coughlin was in meetings all day Wednesday and wasn’t able to respond for comment.
Jas Rattigan, Springwater's director of finance, said the township will be using the money for resurfacing and/or rehabilitation projects on Golf Course Road, Archer Crescent, Queen Street West, Noraline Avenue, Martin Street, Deamicis Crescent, Baseline Road, Ronald Road, Riverview Court and Wilson Drive.
Essa Township, meanwhile, will receive around $824,000.
Next year, the province says it will allocate $400 million in OCIF funding to help 425 small, rural and northern communities pay for critical infrastructure projects. If necessary, a community may accumulate its funding for up to five years to address larger infrastructure projects.
“Small, rural and northern communities need stable funding for their unique infrastructure needs and to provide safe and reliable services,” said Minister of Infrastructure Kinga Surma. “That’s why our government continues to provide funding, especially during these challenging economic times.
"Our investments in community infrastructure are helping to create jobs, build stronger local economies, and lay the foundation for a stronger, more resilient Ontario for generations to come," the minister added.
OCIF provides funding for local infrastructure projects in communities with populations under 100,000, as well as all rural and northern communities.
