Image: B.C. government / The B.C. government announced Friday (Mar. 3) that it will distribute a grant of $16.3 million to the City of Chilliwack to address local infrastructure and amenities projects through the Growing Communities Fund. Abbotsford will receive over $27 million while the District of Kent and District of Hope will receive over $2 million through the Growing Communities Fund.

By Mike Vanden Bosch

B.C. govt. grants

B.C. govt. gives City of Chilliwack $16.3 million to prioritize local infrastructure, amenities

Mar 3, 2023 | 9:59 AM

CHILLIWACK — The City of Chilliwack will receive $16,392,000 from the B.C. government to prioritize local infrastructure and amenities projects through the Growing Communities Fund.

In a news release Friday (Mar. 3), the provincial government announced a $1 billion funding allocation to local governments throughout B.C. to fund critical projects like upgrading water management facilities, building recreation centres, or supporting affordable housing. The funding is a one-time boost.

Local governments like the City of Chilliwack are responsible for determining how the grants will be allocated based on the unique needs of its community.

Abbotsford will receive $27.4 million, the District of Kent will get $2.7 million, the Village of Harrison Hot Springs will receive $1.2 million, and the District of Hope will get $2.8 millionm, all through the same Growing Communities Fund.

Local governments are receiving a $1-billion boost through one-time funding to address the needs of their growing communities.

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Grants are distributed to municipalities and regional districts using a funding formula that reflects population size and growth.

On Feb. 10, 2023, government announced the Growing Communities Fund, which provides a one-time total of $1 billion in grants to all 188 B.C. municipalities and regional districts.

Grants will be distributed using a formula that incorporates an initial $500,000 per municipality or district, and further adjustments for population size and per-capita population growth between 2016 and 2021, based on BC Stats data. This method considers the impacts of service and amenity demands on smaller and rural communities and the additional pressures experienced by faster-growing communities. Grants will be distributed to local governments by the end of March 2023.

All local governments are required to report on the use of funds in their annual audited financial statements. The Ministry of Municipal Affairs will provide further guidance to municipalities and regional districts on the use of their funds in the coming weeks.

“The transfer of these funds provides massive investments for every local government in the province,” said Jen Ford, president, Union of B.C. Municipalities. “This new funding will allow communities to accelerate the replacement of aging systems, and expansion to current services to better meet the demands of growing populations. The approach of providing funding upfront will ensure that these funds are directed to the most urgent priorities identified in each community.”

by Mike Vanden Bosch

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B.C. govt. gives City of Chilliwack $16.3 million to prioritize local infrastructure, amenities

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