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COMMUNITY: Alberta marks anniversary of municipal funding scheme
        (AlbertaIndex, September 15, Monday) ---Alberta last Friday marked the first anniversary of a new formula for the 10-year Municipal Sustainability Initiative funding worth an estimated $11.3 billion. Approximately 900 capital and 600 operating applications have been received since 2007-08.
        The initiative is aimed at funding hundreds of infrastructure projects including enhanced fire protection services, a new water main, and improved public transit and policing to benefit communities across Alberta.

The funding arrangement provides municipalities with flexibility on how to spend their MSI dollars in order to build strong communities.

Municipal projects funded by MSI provide significant local and regional benefits including:

•    Safer travel for Cypress County through the paving of 3.2 kilometres of Range Road 55. Cypress County is applying over $1.3 million of MSI capital funding to this $2 million project;
•    Improved police services in the City of Calgary through additions to the North Service Centre. The city is applying $3.5 million of MSI capital funding to this project;
•    More efficient public transit services for the City of Edmonton through construction of a new Southwest Transit Garage. The city is applying $99.3 million in MSI capital funding to this $109 million project;
•    Enhanced fire protection services for the Town of Oyen and Special Areas Board through the purchase of a fire truck. The Special Areas Board is applying $275,000 of MSI capital funding to this purchase;
•    Meeting community growth needs in the Town of Claresholm through construction of the Patterson Watermain. The town is applying $405,722 of MSI capital funding to this project; and
•    Support for the local community hall through a contribution of $2,176 in MSI operating funding toward utility expenses by the Town of Valleyview.

“Alberta’s municipalities asked for a long-term and sustainable funding commitment from our government, and we have delivered,” said Premier Ed Stelmach.

“Municipalities are targeting their MSI funding amounts toward high-priority projects like recreation centres, new roads and mass transit,” said Minister of Municipal Affairs Ray Danyluk.

“Communities are highlighting local priorities, and with the help of these funds, getting vital infrastructure work done that is required to meet the needs of our growing population.”

After consultations with municipalities a year ago, the Premier unveiled a funding formula that considers population, education property tax requisitions, and kilometres of road. This formula was requested by a majority of municipal representatives to allow greater flexibility in completing projects that are local priorities.

MSI will provide municipalities with $500 million in 2008-09, $600 million in 2009-10 and grows to $1.4 billion annually in 2010-11.

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