New Infrastructure Program Invests $4.7 Million in Water and Sewer Project

Phase two of the regional Port Hawkesbury sewage treatment system and the Port Hastings water distribution project will receive more than $4.7 million from a new Municipal Rural Infrastructure Fund.

This project includes completion of the wastewater collection system for Port Hastings and the Town of Port Hawkesbury, the completion of the regional sewage treatment plant, and water transmission, distribution and storage for Port Hastings.

Federal and provincial funding of $3,183,334 was announced today, April 28, by the federal and provincial governments. The Municipality of the County of Inverness and the Town of Port Hawkesbury will fund the balance upon formal acceptance of the agreement.

The announcement is the first in a series of federal-provincial infrastructure funding announcements expected under the new infrastructure program.

"Our government is committed to making Nova Scotia communities stronger, safer and healthier," said Premier Rodney MacDonald. "Through the new Municipal Rural Infrastructure Fund program, we are strategically investing in projects that will help our communities grow and prosper."

"The government of Canada recognizes that infrastructure is the foundation of our quality of life, our economic progress, and our environmental sustainability," said Peter MacKay, federal Minister of Foreign Affairs and Minister of the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency. "It is the driver for attracting new business, expanding existing ones, encouraging immigration, retaining our young people, and drawing our family and friends back home."

The new infrastructure program supports community infrastructure improvements, such as water, wastewater, solid waste, and environmental energy improvement projects.

"Completion of the sewage treatment plant is our number one priority," said Billy Joe MacLean, mayor of the Town of Port Hawkesbury. "This project will have some significant benefits for the health of our community and will make a real impact on the quality of life of our citizens."

"We are delighted to receive the funding to complete this important project," said Duart MacAulay, warden of the Municipality of the County of Inverness. "This project is of great value to our community and will have a significant impact on the well-being of our community."

The new $111-million, six-year Canada-Nova Scotia Municipal Rural Infrastructure Fund is administered by the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency and Service Nova Scotia and Municipal Relations. Enterprise Cape Breton Corporation and the Union of Nova Scotia Municipalities are members of the management committee.