September 15, 2009

More Than $1.2 Million Investment For Local Communities

KAMLOOPS – The provincial government is providing a total of $1,214,419 to communities in the Thompson Valleys for public safety initiatives and local government operations through the Strategic Community Investment Fund.

“This support really helps out local governments with expenses and ensures they have these funds available in a timely fashion,” says Kamloops-North Thompson MLA Terry Lake. “The Strategic Community Investment Fund’s purpose is to help maintain the vital infrastructure and services necessary in our growing region.”

“I’m pleased to see these funds go to local infrastructure and services,” says Kamloops-South Thompson MLA Kevin Krueger. “The revenue generated through this process goes directly back into supporting policing and programs in our communities.”

Recipients of the Strategic Community Investment Funds are as follows:

Traffic Fine Revenue Sharing:

• $597,619 to the City of Kamloops

Small Community Grant:

• $193,269 to the Village of Chase

• $185,141 to the District of Clearwater

• $175,043 to the District of Barriere

Regional District Grant:

• $63,347 to the Thompson-Nicola Regional District

This is the second of three payments from the Strategic Community Investment Fund, a two-year, $232-million initiative consisting of the Traffic Fine Revenue Sharing Program and Small Community and Regional District Grants. Communities received a first payment in Spring 2009 and will receive a third payment in early 2010.

Through the Traffic Fine Revenue Sharing Program, the province has provided 100 per cent of net traffic fine revenues to local government since 2004.  Traffic fine revenue comes from fines on violation tickets, with a municipality receiving an amount based on its contribution to the total cost of municipal policing.  The Small Community and Regional District Grant allocation is calculated based on population and assessment.

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