DIDSBURY - The Town of Didsbury has been notified that it will be receiving funding to aid with infrastructure improvements prior to the provincial budget being passed.
The provincial government send out word early this month to municipalities throughout Alberta that it would be releasing $597 million of Municipal Sustainability Initiative (MSI) funds for 2019/20.
Didsbury will be receiving $882,851 from the MSI fund. In addition, the town will get $595,287 from the Federal Gas Tax Fund (GTF), once funds have been received by the province from the federal government.
Mayor Rhonda Hunter said the funding notice gives the town information necessary for planning.
"We generally get notifications of this funding around May every year," said Hunter. "Receiving this notification gives us the information we need for present and future operational and capital project planning. We will also be looking forward to the fall announcement regrading the MSI funding balance once the provincial budget is passed."
In May of 2018, Didsbury received $957,721 in MSI funding.
Hunter said municipalities rely on this type of funding to cover costs of major road and infrastructure projects as well as some operational costs.
"The MSI, BMTG (Basic Municipal Transportation Grant) and GTF are allocated to operating and capital funding," she said. "Examples of projects that have been funded are the Rosebud lift station, 23rd Street paving, sidewalks, wastewater upgrades, and the 10th Street road improvements that will get underway soon. The allocation of this grant funding takes place annually when the budget is approved."
Hunter said the Gas Tax Fund, which is a total of $595,287, consists of $306,542 and a "top-up" of $288,745. The top up is a one-time federal cash addition to the gas tax fund.
"This grant is received annually and is allocated in budget discussions and approval," she said. "The top-up is welcome news and has not been designated to a particular project at this time. There will be recommendations and discussions regarding the top-up."
In May of 2018, Didsbury received $290,552 in gas tax funding.
