The Northern Rockies Regional Municipality (NRRM) has received $10 million to implement the first year of a 20-year infrastructure development plan, Pat Pimm, MLA for Peace River North announced today on behalf of Coralee Oakes, Minister of Community, Sport and Cultural Development.

The funding will provide the necessary investment (up to $10 million per year) to ensure that the NRRM has the infrastructure in place to become a major service centre for the natural gas industry and other industrialization in the region.

Funding will be used to finance a number of projects that will support growth in the NRRM including upgrades to the recreation centre, airport and sanitary sewer system.

This payment is part of the Northern Rockies Infrastructure Development Contribution Agreement signed in 2013 between the Province and the Northern Rockies Regional Municipality.

Quotes:

Coralee Oakes, Minister of Community, Sport and Cultural Development —

“This $10-million payment represents the first year of the Province’s multi-year agreement with the Northern Rockies Regional Municipality and will provide financing to a region of the province that will play a critical role in the future of oil and gas development and other industrialization activities.”

Pat Pimm, MLA Peace River North —

“It is great to see the first payment of this agreement being made to the region. The Province, in partnership with our local communities, is ensuring the region is prepared for industrial development and that we are ready to take full advantage of the economic benefits that will come with natural gas development.”

Mayor Bill Streeper, Northern Rockies Regional Municipality —

“We are in a partnership with the Province to build infrastructure that can support burgeoning LNG resources, and we now have the financial tools to build the modern community needed for our citizens, and to develop the capacity to sustain a renewed natural gas industry.”

Quick Facts:

• The Infrastructure Development Contribution Agreement is a landmark agreement between the Government of British Columbia and the Northern Rockies Regional Municipality, which sets the stage for funding future infrastructure to assist the community in becoming a regional service centre for the natural gas industry.
• This agreement provides the Northern Rockies with up to a maximum of $10 million per year over a 20-year period starting in 2015-16.