Ontario Construction News staff writer
Municipalities across Simcoe County will share about $13 million in provincial funding to help renew and rehabilitate critical infrastructure.
The funding is being delivered through the Ontario Community Infrastructure Fund (OCIF) and is part of the government’s plan to support economic growth and job creation.
“I’m proud that our government is investing in various critical projects in communities across Simcoe North and Simcoe County,” said Jill Dunlop, MPP for Simcoe North.
“The province’s commitment to investing in small and rural infrastructure will help strengthen our communities through projects supporting economic growth while creating more jobs.”
In Simcoe North, funding has been allocated to:
- Midland — $788,459
- Orillia — $2,761,504
- Penetanguishene — $605,140
- Ramara — $401,849
- Severn — $767,865
- Tay — $817,282
- Tiny — $1,035,642
Also, Springwater Township gets $1.05 million and Oro-Medonte $464,000.
“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.
“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.”
In 2024, the government will allocate $400 million in OCIF funding to help 425 small, rural and northern communities pay for critical infrastructure projects, including road, bridge, water, and wastewater projects. If necessary, a community may accumulate its funding for up to five years to address larger infrastructure projects.
OCIF provides funding for local infrastructure projects in communities with populations under 100,000, as well as all rural and northern communities. Funding allocations are based on a formula that takes into account the different needs and economic conditions of each community.