Five Kings County Projects Receive Building Canada Funding

Five communities in the Kings County area will have better drinking water and wastewater treatment systems thanks to funding by three levels of government.

Funding of more than $6 million under the Communities Component of the Building Canada Fund was announced today, March 6, by Premier Rodney MacDonald and Senator Donald Oliver, on behalf of John Baird, Minister of Transport, Infrastructure and Communities.

"These infrastructure investments are part of our new Building for Growth program that will help stimulate the economy by maintaining and creating jobs now," said Premier MacDonald. "Our new plan is about improving infrastructure and building healthy, vibrant communities and a prosperous Nova Scotia."

"The government of Canada, through the Communities Component of the Building Canada Fund, is very proud to partner in projects that will provide modern and reliable infrastructure for Kings County," said Senator Oliver. "These investments will not only lay the foundation for sustainable economic growth, but will also provide residents with a healthier, safer and more prosperous community."

The Municipality of Kings project includes upgrades to the wastewater treatment facility, which will benefit about 9,600 households and will be designed to accommodate future growth. The total cost of the project is $2,774,700, which will be funded equally by the federal and provincial governments, and the Municipality of Kings.

The Town of Wolfville's project includes the design and construction of new sewer lines and watermains along Front Street. The project will replace aging infrastructure and help reduce operation and maintenance costs. The total cost of the project is $887,700, which will be funded equally by the federal and provincial governments, and the Town of Wolfville.

The project with the Village of New Minas includes design and construction of water and sewer lines along Prospect Road. The project will install sanitary sewer and watermains for 20 households that have on-site systems. The total cost of the project is $783,600 and will be funded equally by the federal and provincial governments, and the Village of New Minas.

The villages of Canning and Port Williams will receive new water reservoirs. In Canning, about 390 households will have improved drinking water. In Port Williams, improved drinking water will be available to 360 households. The reservoirs will each cost $792,300 and will be funded equally by the federal and provincial governments, and the villages of Canning and Port Williams.

"Today's funding enables communities to move forward with important infrastructure projects," said Lloyd Hines, president of the Union of Nova Scotia Municipalities. "These projects not only provide safe drinking water and improved wastewater systems, they bring jobs and opportunities for future development in these communities."

Under the Communities Component of the Building Canada Fund, the federal, provincial and municipal governments anticipate investing upwards of $111 million in infrastructure projects in smaller, communities across Nova Scotia, between now and 2014.