The Government of Alberta announced its Municipal Sustainability Initiative (MSI) funding allocation, Feb. 16.
ìIím pleased to see communities across the province use MSI funding to build up their roads, recreation facilities and generally improve and rejuvenate their facilities and infrastructure,î said Doug Griffiths, minister of Municipal Affairs.
ìQuality of life is critical to those who drive our economic success. These kinds of investments make our neighbourhoods more vibrant and even better places to live and raise families.î
Rocky View County will receive $11.2 million in capital funding and $844,006 in operating funds.
ìWe are happy with what we received,î said Kent Robinson, director of business services for the County.
ìWe had estimated around that amount. It didnít come as a surprise.î
He said in 2007, when the MSI program first was announced, the County expected to receive about $19 million in 2012, but ìthe Province has been tightening their belt and we have to be prepared for that.î
All municipalities in Alberta are eligible for MSI funding. Over the past five years, the MSI has provided $3.1 billion in long-term funding to municipalities.
Robinson said much of Rocky Viewís money will be used for roads and firehalls in Elbow Valley (Highway 8) and Balzac.
The amount of MSI funding is determined by municipal populations, education property tax requisitions and kilometres of local roads and includes base funding for all municipalities and Sustainable Investment funding for municipalities with limited local tax bases.
Chestermere will receive $2.4 million in capital funding and $191,912 in operating funds.
ìWe very much appreciate the support the Province gives to Chestermere through MSI funding,î said Chestermere Mayor Patricia Matthews.
ìWe look forward to the day we can rely on continuous funding to support the projects we need for the city.î
Matthews said the funds were included in the townís 2012 budget but the use of the money will be re-evaluated at the Feb. 21 council meeting.
ìWe are growing so fast that we are constantly re-evaluating what we use the funds for,î said Matthews.
Airdrie will receive about $8 million, Crossfield will get about $698,000, Irricana will see roughly $378,000, Acme will receive almost $289,000, Cochrane will receive about $3.6 million, Beiseker will get about $277,000, Linden will see roughly $270,000, Ghost Lake will get almost $90,000, and Redwood Meadows will get about $346,000.
The Province gave out $896 million in 2012-13, up $10 million from last year.
For a listing of the 2012 MSI allocations, visit http://bit.ly/MSI2012
