Small Community Infrastructure Sustainability - Drinking Water

The deadline for the next intake is January 16th, 2009

Improving local infrastructure has become easier for even more communities as a result of the launch of the expanded Towns for Tomorrow program.

Municipalities with populations up to 15,000 and regional districts are now eligible for funding to develop and enhance local infrastructure.

Now a five-year, $71-million program, Towns for Tomorrow supports projects that address climate change and contribute to the overall health, sustainability and livability of communities.

Eligible projects include, but are not limited to:

• water projects;
• wastewater projects;
• public transit projects;
• environmental energy improvement projects;
• local road projects;
• recreation and cultural projects;
• tourism projects;
• protective and emergency services infrastructure projects; and,
• community development projects.

Project selection criteria include:

• contribution towards community greenhouse gas emissions reductions;
• improved public and environmental health;
• advancing ActNow BC’s principle of being more physically active; and,
• building seniors-friendly and disability-friendly communities.

With a new two-page application and 60-day turnaround, the application process has been streamlined to ensure that the program reaches as many communities as possible.

In addition, unlike traditional government infrastructure programs that provide matching funding up to one-third of the total project costs, Towns for Tomorrow provides up to 80 per cent of the funding for approved projects.

Under the revised program structure,communities with populations under 5,000 will continue to cost–share with the Province on an 80/20 basis, with a maximum provincial contribution of $400,000. Communities with populations between 5,000 and 15,000 will share on a 75/25 basis, with a maximum provincial contribution of $375,000.

The application submission deadline for the third round of Towns for Tomorrow funding is January 16th, 2009. Successful and unsuccessful applicants will be contacted within 60 days of this date. Please note that all local governments, including regional districts, may only submit one application per application deadline.

 For more information, visit the Towns for Tomorrow website.